MiamiHerald.com: Breaking News - Business

German business confidence unexpectedly rebounds

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:49 EDT

German business confidence rebounded this month in an unexpectedly strong showing that sends a hopeful signal for more robust growth in Europe's biggest economy, a closely watched survey found Friday.

Summer travel forecast: Better, but no blowout

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:09 EDT

The forecast for summer travel, 2013: Partly sunny.

Procter & Gamble brings back A.G. Lafley as CEO

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:09 EDT

Household products giant Procter & Gamble Co. is hoping its former CEO can work his magic once again.

Report: France backs off caps on CEO pay

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:44 EDT

France's finance minister says the government is no longer planning to cap executives' salaries in the private sector, amid concerns it is antagonizing the big businesses needed to reinvigorate the economy.

Japan's PM Abe defends policies as markets settle

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:29 EDT

Japan's top leaders are defending the economic strategies championed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, though the central bank chief acknowledged a need for better communication with financial markets, a day after Tokyo shares suffered their worst loss since the 2011 tsunami disaster.

Costa Rica and Guatemala move closer to joining Pacific Alliance bloc

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:04 EDT

At the Pacific Alliance meeting in Colombia, the presidents of Costa Rica and Guatemala said they hoped to join the bloc within months

Stock slump continues on Wall Street

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:04 EDT

A global stock market slump is continuing on Wall Street as traders worry about how committed the Federal Reserve remains to keeping up its bond-buying program.

Stocks end lower as investors reassess Fed worries

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:29 EDT

Stocks are ending the day slightly lower after recouping a big loss early on.

US rate on 30-year mortgages rises to 3.59 pct.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:09 EDT

Average rates on fixed mortgage rose for the third straight week, hitting their highest levels since mid-March. Still, mortgage rates remained close to historic lows, a trend that should help sustain the housing recovery.

Sears reports bigger-than-expected 1Q loss

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44 EDT

It was another ugly quarter for Sears Holdings Corp.

US new home sales up 2.3 percent in April

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:09 EDT

U.S. sales of new homes rose in April and nearly matched the fastest pace in five years, driving the median price to a record high. The gains suggest the housing recovery is strengthening.

US rate on 30-year mortgages rises to 3.59 pct.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:49 EDT

Average rates on fixed mortgages rose for the third straight week, hitting their highest levels since mid-March. Still, mortgage rates remained close to historic lows, a trend that should help sustain the housing recovery.

Applications for US unemployment aid fall to 340K

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:44 EDT

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell 23,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 340,000, a level consistent with solid job growth.

Between economy and trouble, Obama approval steady

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:34 EDT

The economy is recovering, the White House is dealing with multiple controversies, and President Barack Obama appears generally unaffected either way.

A year later, U.S. trade with Colombia grows while anxiety mounts

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:14 EDT

Colombian Ambassador Carlos Urrutia says there’s no doubt that his country’s trade deal with the U.S. has paid off. U.S. officials are equally excited, saying U.S. businesses have improved their sales to the South American country by 20 percent. But a year after the agreement took effect, the growth in trade is producing mounting anxiety in some quarters.

With great power comes great perks

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:39 EDT

Here's a look at what companies spent in 2012 on CEOs' country club and business club memberships, private jet travel and home security.

Procter & Gamble brings back A.G. Lafley as CEO

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:44 EDT

Procter & Gamble Co. is bringing back its former CEO, as the world's largest consumer-products maker tries to spur global growth.

Why worry? Less aid by Fed would point to recovery

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:54 EDT

Investors have grown nervous that the Federal Reserve will scale back its efforts to boost the U.S. economy sooner than many expected.

IMF chief Lagarde in court in fraud probe

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:54 EDT

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde faced hours of questioning at a special Paris court Thursday over her role in the 400 million euro ($520 million) pay-off to a controversial businessman when she was France's finance minister.

Muni bond investors on edge over tax proposal

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:54 EDT

Municipal bonds continue to provide a reliable refuge from stock market volatility and a steady source of tax-free income.