Lowe's said Wednesday that its first-quarter net income rose nearly 3 percent, but results fell short of expectations as rainy weather hurt spring gardening sales.
Several Federal Reserve policymakers this month favored slowing the Fed's efforts to maintain record-low long-term interest rates as early as June - if the economy showed strong and sustained growth. But those officials appeared at odds over what evidence would demonstrate such gains.
Target Corp. reported a 29 percent drop in first-quarter profit as unusually cool spring weather and financial pressures chilled customers' appetite for spending.
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes ticked up last month to the highest level in three and a half years, helped by a jump in the number of houses for sale.
The International Monetary Fund has called on Britain to do more to support the economic recovery, urging the government Wednesday to speed up investment in infrastructure and come up with a plan to privatize its bailed out banks.
MIXED MESSAGES: Stocks surged in the early going after Fed chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress the central bank was unlikely to pull back from its stimulus programs soon. Then minutes from a Fed meeting were released that suggested other policymakers think a pullback is possible as early as next month, and stocks dropped.
More than a year after it took effect, a highly touted trade deal with South Korea has failed to produce as expected for the U.S.: Exports are down, imports are up and the trade deficit with the Asian economic powerhouse has ballooned.
Drugmaker Pfizer Inc. plans to try to sell its controlling stake in its former animal health business, Zoetis Inc., through a voluntary stock exchange with Pfizer shareholders.
The price of oil fell near $94 a barrel Wednesday as the nation's oil supply fell less than expected and demand for gasoline remained weak.
Evian is giving itself a facelift to keep up with its sleek, young competitors on store shelves.