Business

Business Bernanke signals Fed to maintain stimulus efforts

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer Published: May 22, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT Last Updated: May 22, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT

Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress Wednesday that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.

Business Amazon proposes biodome design for new campus expansion (Photo Gallery)

By KOMO News Staff Published: May 21, 2013 at 12:40 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 2:32 PM PDT

Amazon.com has revealed plans to build three large greenhouse like biodomes in the midst of its proposed Denny Triangle office development.

Business Apple's CEO faces tough Senate questions on untaxed profits

By MARCY GORDON, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 1:10 PM PDT

The Senate dragged massively profitable Apple Inc. into the debate over the U.S. tax code Tuesday, grilling CEO Tim Cook over allegations that its Irish subsidiaries help the company avoid billions in U.S. taxes.

Business Hidden camera found in Starbucks bathroom; person of interest sought (Photo Gallery)

By KATU.com Staff Published: May 21, 2013 at 10:06 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 10:28 AM PDT

Police are looking for a person of interest after someone found a hidden camera in a public bathroom at a Sherwood Starbucks earlier this month.

Business Average credit card debt, late payments fall in 1st quarter

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:47 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 8:47 AM PDT

Americans got better about paying their credit card debt on time in the first three months of the year, a period when many borrowers use income tax returns to tackle their holiday season debt.

Business SBA starting new lending program for veterans

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM PDT

The Small Business Administration says it has lined up pledges from more than 120 banks to increase lending to veterans.

Business GM to invest $44.5 million in Lansing Cadillac factory

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:37 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 8:37 AM PDT

General Motors says it will invest $44.5 million at a Lansing, Mich., factory, creating 200 new jobs.

Business Senators agree to expansion of high-tech visas

By DAVID ESPO and ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:35 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 8:35 AM PDT

Officials say leading senators trying to resolve a key issue on immigration legislation have agreed to a compromise covering expansion of a high-tech visa program.

Business Does France have right plan to revive its economy?

By SARAH DiLORENZO, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:33 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 8:32 AM PDT

The man charged with reviving France's shrinking economy and attracting businesses to invest here is gaining a reputation for doing the opposite.

Business Economists predict increase in consumer spending

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:30 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 11:51 AM PDT

Consumer spending is likely to pick up this year, while government spending declines at a faster rate, according to a survey of business economists.

Business Earnings preview: PC slump hangs over HP's 2nd quarter

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:28 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 8:28 AM PDT

Hewlett-Packard's latest quarterly results will show how badly the deteriorating personal computer market damaged the company while CEO Meg Whitman tries to expand into more profitable areas of technology.

Business NBC hires news division chief from Britain

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:22 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 8:22 AM PDT

NBC has gone out of the company and out of the country to find a president for its news division.

Business Ryanair keeps growing, reports record profits

By SHAWN POGATCHNIK, Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:19 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 8:19 AM PDT

Ryanair reported record profits Monday as Europe's largest budget airline relentlessly expanded its route network across the continent and into North Africa.

Business Tons of New Zealand meat stranded on Chinese docks

By NICK PERRY, Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:17 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 8:17 AM PDT

Hundreds of tons of frozen mutton, lamb and beef from New Zealand have been stranded on Chinese docks after China halted their import due to a certification dispute.

Business Chase Bank's Dimon under pressure ahead of investor vote

By CHRISTINA REXRODE,AP Business Writer Published: May 19, 2013 at 2:15 PM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2013 at 2:15 PM PDT

Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of the country's biggest bank, faces a key test this week: His shareholders are voting on whether to let him keep both jobs.