Business

Business High court rules for Monsanto in patent case

By Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:12 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:12 AM PDT

The Supreme Court has sustained Monsanto Co.'s claim that an Indiana farmer violated the company's patents on soybean seeds that are resistant to its weed-killer.

Business U.S. retail sales rise in April on cars, clothing

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 10:34 AM PDT

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 spring.

Business U.S. business stockpiles flat in March, sales fall

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:04 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:04 AM PDT

U.S. businesses left their stockpiles unchanged in March for a second straight month while their sales fell sharply.

Business Starbucks sees Myanmar entry in couple of years

By PAMELA SAMPSON, AP Business Writer Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:29 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:29 AM PDT

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said Monday the coffee chain's first stores in India and Vietnam have been received positively and it might soon be time to give Myanmar a shot too.

Business Euro finance ministers to discuss Italy, Portugal

By Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:01 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:01 AM PDT

European finance ministers are set to discuss on Monday the economic plans of Italy's new government and assess the outlook for bailed-out countries like Portugal, Greece and Cyprus.

Business Bangladesh to raise wages for garment workers

By FARID HOSSAIN,Associated Press Published: May 12, 2013 at 11:54 AM PDT Last Updated: May 12, 2013 at 11:54 AM PDT

Bangladesh's government plans to raise the minimum wage for garment workers, a Cabinet minister said Sunday.

Business Gold prices take investors on wild ride

By MATTHEW CRAFT, AP Business Writer Published: May 12, 2013 at 12:02 PM PDT Last Updated: May 12, 2013 at 12:02 PM PDT

When the price of gold plunged $200 last month, many people thought they caught the sound of the gold bubble popping.

Business Bloomberg bars reporters from client activity

By RYAN NAKASHIMA Associated Press Published: May 11, 2013 at 9:13 PM PDT Last Updated: May 11, 2013 at 9:13 PM PDT

Financial data and news company Bloomberg LP says it has corrected a "mistake" in its newsgathering policies and cut off its journalists' special access to client log-in activity on the company's ubiquitous trading information terminals after Goldman Sachs complained about the matter last month.

Business Chrysler recalls almost 470,000 Jeep SUVs

By Associated Press Published: May 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM PDT Last Updated: May 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM PDT

Chrysler is recalling 469,000 Jeep SUVs worldwide because they can shift into neutral without warning on startup.

Business Judge refuses to suspend his over-the-counter Plan B ruling

By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 9:48 AM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 9:48 AM PDT

A government appeal of a ruling giving women of all ages broad access to morning-after birth control is frivolous, a federal judge said Friday.

Business Congressional gridlock benefiting seniors at expense of young

By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT

With Congress increasingly unable to resolve budget disputes, federal programs on automatic pilot are consuming ever larger amounts of government resources.

Business Retailers report modest gains for April

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO,AP Retail Writer Published: May 9, 2013 at 3:15 PM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 3:15 PM PDT

Americans spent briskly during the early spring months in the latest sign that they're encouraged by the economic recovery.

Business Strawberry Pepsi? New fountain machine in test

By Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 10:06 AM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 10:06 AM PDT

The "Touch Tower" machines let people add up to four flavor shots — lemon, cherry, strawberry or vanilla — to eight varieties of drinks.

Business Bernanke says Fed increasing financial monitoring

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer Published: May 10, 2013 at 10:11 AM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 10:11 AM PDT

The Federal Reserve has broadened its oversight beyond banks and now monitors a wide-range of financial institutions that could hasten another financial crisis.

Business IRS apologizes for targeting conservative groups

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER,Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 9:51 AM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 9:51 AM PDT

The Internal Revenue Service inappropriately flagged conservative political groups for additional reviews during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status