Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) posted its first quarterly profit in three years because it got $1.25 billion in a legal settlement with its archrival. The world's No. 2 maker of computer microprocessors said Thursday it would have lost money were it not for the payment it received from Intel (INTC) to squash a long-running antitrust battle.

Continue reading AMD Posts a Profit, Boosted by $1.25 Billion Intel Payment

AMD Posts a Profit, Boosted by $1.25 Billion Intel Payment originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:30:00.

Filed Under: AMD

Magazines inform, entertain and educate. Just because times are bad doesn't mean consumers have to scrimp on reading materials.

Starbucks (SBUX) surprised both Wall Street analysts and skeptics like me Wednesday, by releasing first fiscal quarter 2010 results that were better than expected. Led by a 4% comparable-store sales growth, the company recorded 4% higher revenues of $2.72 billion. Earnings came it at $241.5 million, or 32 cents per share, topping expectations of 27 cents per share. Last year's first fiscal quarter earnings were only nine cents per share, before charges on store closings.

Continue reading Starbucks Competes for Market's Mellow Middle

Starbucks Competes for Market's Mellow Middle originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:45:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Earnings, Starbucks

Affluent Americans are starting to spend more and pay back their debt on time. At least, that is what American Express' (AXP) fourth quarter results seem to indicate. "We ended the year on a positive note with card member spending up 8% and credit indicators showing further signs of improvement," said Kenneth I. Chenault, CEO of Amex in a statement.

Continue reading American Express Results Show Upscale Americans Doing Better

American Express Results Show Upscale Americans Doing Better originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:15:00.

Filed Under: Earnings, American Express

The Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered a second straight day of triple-digit losses as investors reacted with trepidation to President Barack Obama's initial proposal to reform financial institutions. On the heels of Wednesday's news that China is reining in bank lending, Obama proposed new rules to restrict the nation's largest banks from making high-risk trades.

Continue reading Investors Jittery over Obama Bank Rules Flee Stocks

Investors Jittery over Obama Bank Rules Flee Stocks originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:00:00.

Filed Under: Economy, Investing, Xerox, Starbucks

Air America is bankrupt, and this time it looks like it will be for good.

The liberal talk-radio network, founded in 2004 to serve as a counterbalance to the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, is shutting down all operations and filing for Chapter 7. "[O]ur painstaking search for new investors has come close several times right up into this week, but ultimately fell short of success," wrote Air American Media chairman Charlie Kireker in a company-wide memo to employees. "[O]ur company cannot escape the laws of economics. So we intend a rapid, orderly closure over the next few days."

Continue reading Air America Shuts Down, Citing 'Difficult Economic Environment'

Air America Shuts Down, Citing 'Difficult Economic Environment' originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:20:00.

Filed Under: Media

A Merck (MRK)-licensed experimental drug to fight a bacteria blamed for increasing rates of deadly diarrhea in hospitals and nursing homes was found highly effective in a mid-stage study. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows the drug cut repeat infections by 72% in a trial of 200 patients infected by the diarrhea-causing germ in the U.S. and Canada. The drug reduces the risk of re-infection by the bug and its more virulent new strain more than in patients taking only antibiotics and the side effects were similar.

Continue reading Merck's Diarrhea Drug Could be First in 30 Years

Merck's Diarrhea Drug Could be First in 30 Years originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:15:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Merck

No less than three late-stage studies show that two experimental pills for multiple sclerosis -- fingolimod and cladribine -- are effective. If the drugs, developed by Novartis (NVS) and Merck Serono respectively, are approved by the FDA, they will be the first oral treatments available for the disease. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, irreversible illness that attacks the central nervous system and is characterized by symptoms ranging from numbness to blindness and paralysis.

Continue reading Two New Multiple Sclerosis Pills Show Promise in Late-Stage Studies

Two New Multiple Sclerosis Pills Show Promise in Late-Stage Studies originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:00:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Healthcare, Novartis

With all the back-and-forth between NBC talk show hosts Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien over who is the rightful heir to the late-night slot, you'd get the impression that General Electric's (GE) main businesses is a television network.

It's best to keep a sense of perspective: GE, a closely-watched industrial giant, reports fourth-quarter earnings Friday before the market opens, and the company is a virtual mutual fund in one company -- and a good gauge of the health of the U.S. economy.

Continue reading Earnings Preview: General Electric, a Bellwether

Earnings Preview: General Electric, a Bellwether originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:30:00.

Filed Under: Earnings, General Electric

Of the many cruel ironies of last week's deadly earthquake in Haiti, this one is the cruelest: In the months before the disaster, international officials were optimistic that the outlook for the Western Hemisphere's poorest country was starting to improve.

Continue reading Foreign Companies Were Upbeat about Haiti Before Earthquake

Foreign Companies Were Upbeat about Haiti Before Earthquake originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:30:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Wal-Mart Stores, Walt Disney, Retail