• Small-Business Tax Breaks in 2010 (U.S. News & World Report) - 4 Mar 2010

  U.S. News & World Report - This year, taxes on small-business owners are under particular scrutiny. They're getting so much attention because Congress is currently debating a jobs bill with multibillion-dollar tax credits for small businesses. Last week, the Senate passed a bill with a payroll tax holiday for business owners and their employees and an extension of a tax deduction on capital expenditures. The payroll tax holiday--dubbed the Hire Now Tax Cut--allows an employer to forgo payroll tax on any unemployed person hired by the firm this year.

Lawmaker: Toyota withheld crash lawsuit evidence (AP) - 26 Feb 2010

AP - A House lawmaker said Friday that internal Toyota documents show the automaker deliberately withheld key vehicle design and testing evidence in lawsuits filed by Toyota drivers injured in crashes.

Toyota CEO apologizes for recall, accidents (AP) - 24 Feb 2010

AP - Akio Toyoda, the mysterious scion of the Toyota empire, is apologizing Wednesday before a House committee investigating deadly flaws that sparked the recall of 8.5 million cars.

Target's 4Q profit rises 53.7 percent (AP) - 23 Feb 2010

AP - Lean inventory and stronger-than-expected holiday sales helped Target Corp.'s fourth-quarter profit soar 53.7 percent, and the company said it expects to pick up market share this year as it rolls out a new store format that includes a bigger grocery section.

Consumer confidence falls sharply (AP) - 23 Feb 2010

AP - Americans' outlook on the economy went into relapse in February. Rising job worries sent a key barometer of confidence to its lowest point in 10 months, raising concerns about the economic recovery.

Sears profit more than doubles; revenue slips (Reuters) - 23 Feb 2010

Reuters - Sears Holdings Corp posted a much larger quarterly profit on Tuesday as lower costs helped blunt the impact of slightly lower revenue.

Home Depot moves to a 4th-quarter profit (AP) - 23 Feb 2010

AP - Home Depot says cost-cutting and gains in sales of items such as paint, flooring and plumbing helping it move to a fourth-quarter profit.

Wal-Mart to buy digital movie provider Vudu (AP) - 22 Feb 2010

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday it will buy broadband entertainment provider Vudu, a deal that gives the world's biggest retailer the ability to sell movies directly through TVs and Blu-ray players over the Internet.