IBM

Despite the weak economy, Americans are ever willing to splurge especially with e-commerce making waves this year.

Shoppers found a mixed bag of bargains and so-so deals on Monday, as a day off for many Americans lured some out for what was likely to be the third-busiest shopping day of the holiday season.

Investors in Oracle, the No. 1 enterprise software vendor, had their worst day in three years as shares closed down nearly 12 percent, chopping $17 billion from the company’s market value.

Technology shares slumped on Wednesday and pushed the Nasdaq down 1 percent after Oracle reported results that cast doubts on the sector's health, even as broader markets closed mostly flat in a thinly traded day.

To be sure, it's not a U.S. stock market for rookies, or the squeamish -- it's a market that also can bring out the reactive in even the most experienced investor. Hence with the above in mind, here are 5 time-tested axioms that every investor should keep close by.

S&P 500 stock buybacks increased for the ninth consecutive quarter. As share count begins to decline, some earnings-per-share impacts are expected for the fourth quarter.

Shares of Oracle, the biggest enterprise software developer, fell more than 15 percent Wednesday after the company missed second-quarter estimates for earnings.

No doubt 2011 was a major year for technology in part because it touched everyone differently. Following are some of the highlights and lowlights of the year:

At the start of the 20th century, inventors Thomas Alva Edison and Nikola Tesla clashed in the "war of the currents." To highlight the dangers of his rival's system, Edison even electrocuted an elephant. The animal died in vain; it was Tesla's system and not Edison's that took off. But today, helped by technological advances and the need to conserve energy, Edison may finally get his revenge.

Oracle, the biggest enterprise software developer, is scheduled to report second-quarter results late Tuesday. Here are some expert tips on what to watch in the announcement.

Here are some items to watch when Oracle reports: earnings, Europe outlook, cash, deferred revenue, third-quarter earnings forecast

EU antitrust regulators accepted concessions offered by International Business Machines Corp to end an antitrust investigation and avert a possible fine, the European Commission said on Wednesday.

The turbulent stock market may throw up obstacles in front of two initial public offerings on tap, including on-line game site Zynga as well as workplace social networking developer Jive Software.

The International Trade Commission this week is expected to determine if Taiwan's HTC infringed upon Apple's smartphone patents. Isn't there a more sensible way to manage the IP wars?

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) said on Thursday that it had agreed to acquire software company DemandTec, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMAN) for about $440 million or $13.20 a share.

IBM, the No. 2 U.S. computer company, unveiled an advanced analytical software and services tool that used its powerful Watson supercomputer.

IBM, the No. 2 computer giant, said it plans to acquire e-commerce specialist DemandTec for $440 million to beef up its retail and marketing software services.

EU antitrust regulators are set to accept concessions offered by International Business Machines Corp and end an antitrust investigation, averting a possible fine, this month, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

EU antitrust regulators are set to accept concessions offered by International Business Machines Corp and end an antitrust investigation this month, averting a possible fine, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Cisco Systems, the No. 1 provider of networking gear, launched what it dubs the “CloudVerse” as a strategy to win new business with the mushrooming of data transmissions over landline and wireless networks.

The two biggest computer giants continued their buying spree as Hewlett-Packard snapped up HiFlex while IBM said it will acquire Curam Software.