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New England economy seen improving, but unevenly

 May 22, 2013; Updated: 11:51 am

A group of economists says New England is recovering from the worst recession in decades, with the strongest gains in Massachusetts and Vermont, while Rhode Island and Maine lag.

SBA starting new lending program for veterans

 May 22, 2013; Updated: 11:42 pm

New York (AP) - The Small Business Administration says it has lined up pledges from more than 120 banks to increase lending to veterans.

The agency said Tuesday it's starting a program, the SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative, aimed at...

General Motors invests $44.5M in Lansing factory

 May 22, 2013; Updated: 11:44 pm

EXPANSION: General Motors says it will invest $44.5 million at a Lansing, Mich., factory, creating 200 new jobs. It plans to construct a building next to the Lansing Grand River plant to assemble parts and put them in...

Priceline completes $1.8B deal for Kayak Software

 May 22, 2013; Updated: 11:44 pm

Priceline.com Inc. said Tuesday that it completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of fellow online travel company Kayak Software Corp. Under the terms of the deal originally announced in November, Norwalk-based Priceline said it paid about...

Analysis: A tech company? A media company? Yahoo can't decide

 May 21, 2013; Updated: 11:47 pm

Yahoo's acquisition of Tumblr for $1.1 billion is a big gamble by Marissa Mayer, the company's recently hired CEO. The microblogging site is a valuable asset, but media accounts of Mayer's thinking suggest she hasn't come to terms with...

Microsoft updates Xbox as Apple to Facebook make gains in gaming

 May 21, 2013; Updated: 11:03 pm

Seattle - Microsoft is revamping the Xbox to fend off a breed of competitors ranging from Apple to Facebook. Those companies were nowhere in gaming when the software maker debuted its last version five years ago.

Now these newcomers,...

Special K churns out products in brand evolution no one foresaw

 May 21, 2013; Updated: 11:03 pm

New York - Special K was once just a line of cereals. Today, it's a diet food empire.

The brand first hit shelves in 1955 as a no-frills breakfast alternative but now caters to dieters who see its airy chips and pastries as a way to...

L.L. Bean keeping it in the family

 May 21, 2013; Updated: 11:48 pm

L.L. Bean's grandson Leon Gorman is retiring as chairman after more than a half-century heading the outdoors retailer, but the privately held company is keeping the position in the family.
The...

New Orleans paper goes back to 7-day print edition

 May 19, 2013; Updated: 11:42 pm

The New Orleans Times-Picayune is going back to publishing a print edition seven days a week.

Has the gold rush finally come to an end?

 May 19, 2013; Updated: 11:42 pm

After having run up to record prices, gold has cooled off, and some investors fear the bubble is about to burst.

What corporate America is reading

 May 19, 2013; Updated: 11:42 pm

Here are the best-selling business books for the month of April:

1. "Nature's Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature," Mark Tercek and Jonathan Adams; Basic Books, $26.99.

2. "From Values to Action: The Four...

McDonald's set to drop items to streamline its menu

 May 18, 2013; Updated: 11:55 pm

Chicago - The Angus burger is going away, and it may not be the only McDonald's dish on the chopping block.

The world's largest restaurant chain has also considered axing Caesar salads, the McSkillet Burrito, the Southern Style...

American’s seating targets roller bags

 May 18, 2013; Updated: 11:55 pm

If you're traveling light, you can board earlier on American Airlines.

The airline said Thursday that people carrying just a personal item that fits under the seat - no rolling suitcases - will be allowed to board before most other...

Small SUVs do poorly in crash tests

 May 17, 2013; Updated: 11:55 pm

Only two of 13 small SUVs performed well in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Several popular models fared poorly.
Subaru's 2014 Forester was the only vehicle to get a "good"...

Eurozone's recession extends into sixth quarter

 May 16, 2013; Updated: 10:50 pm

Paris - The recession across the economy of the 17 European Union countries that use the euro extended into its sixth quarter - longer than the calamitous slump that hit the region in the financial crisis of...

Hellmann's whips up campaign to celebrate its mayo centennial

 May 16, 2013; Updated: 10:50 pm

New York - A lot changes in 100 years, but the key to Hellmann's success may be that not much has changed for the mayonnaise.

To celebrate Hellman's centennial birthday, owner Unilever is launching a marketing campaign to drum up...

NYC condo tower moving forward

 May 16, 2013; Updated: 10:50 pm

World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein's plan for a hotel-condo tower is moving forward after a Londoninvestment firm has agreed to provide a $660 million construction loan.

Martin Burger of Silverstein Properties Inc. tells The...

Google unveils $10-a-month plan to compete with music services

 May 16, 2013; Updated: 10:50 pm

San Francisco - Google on Wednesday launched a subscription-based music service, allowing users of Android phones and tablets to listen to their favorite songs and artists for a monthly fee.

The streaming service, called All Access,...

RIM unveils lower-priced BlackBerry

 May 15, 2013; Updated: 7:48 pm

Orlando, Fla. - Research In Motion unveiled a lower-cost BlackBerry aimed at consumers in emerging markets on Tuesday, and said it will offer its once-popular BlackBerry Messenger service on iPhones and devices running Google's Android...

Walgreen extends CVS Caremark deal

 May 15, 2013; Updated: 7:48 pm

Drugstore chain Walgreen Co. has extended its agreement to fill prescriptions for CVS Caremark Corp., which runs one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit management businesses.

The deal means customers with prescription drug benefits...

High court rules for Monsanto in seed patent case

 May 14, 2013; Updated: 11:43 pm

Washington - The Supreme Court said Monday that an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto Co.'s patents on soybean seeds resistant to its weed-killer by growing the beans without buying new seeds from the corporation.

Retail sales rise in April, fueling rebound hopes

 May 14, 2013; Updated: 11:16 pm

Washington - Americans increased their spending in April at retail businesses, buying more cars and clothes while paying less for gas. The rebound from a weak March suggests consumers may help boost economic growth again this...

Germany, France to unveil 'New Deal' for EU's jobless youth

 May 14, 2013; Updated: 11:16 pm

Berlin - Germany and France will announce joint proposals this month to address Europe's soaring youth unemployment, the Labor Ministry in Berlin said, confirming a newspaper report of a planned "New Deal for Europe."

The blueprint...

Power grid operator agrees to cost cuts

 May 14, 2013; Updated: 11:42 pm

New England's electric grid operator has agreed to cut nearly $3 million in spending and end a pension plan for new employees in a settlement with officials in five states who said spending was excessive.

Bloomberg apologizes for accessing info

 May 14, 2013; Updated: 11:41 pm

The editor in chief of Bloomberg News apologized Monday for the financial news service's practice of accessing private data on clients through the company's ubiquitous information service for stock and bond traders.

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