Business | MyFOX Spokane

Gates, Buffett again top Forbes' billionaires list

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

NEW YORK (AP) - Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates remains the nation's richest man by far, as the tech and philanthropy giant took the top spot on the Forbes 400 list for the 19th year running, with a net worth of $66 billion. Investor Warren Buffett, the head of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.,

US crude oil supplies climb by 8.5 million barrels

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

NEW YORK (AP) - The nation's crude oil supplies increased last week, the government said Wednesday. Crude supplies grew by 8.5 million barrels, or 2.4 percent, to 367.6 million barrels, which is 8.4 percent above year-ago levels, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration

US home sales jump to highest since May 2010

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER and MARTIN CRUTSINGERAP Economics Writers WASHINGTON (AP) - A jump in sales of previously occupied homes and further gains in home construction suggest the U.S. housing recovery is gaining momentum. Sales of previously occupied homes rose 7.8 percent in August from

US previously occupied home sales up 7.8 percent in August, highest level in more than 2 years

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

WASHINGTON (AP) - US previously occupied home sales up 7.8 percent in August, highest level in more than 2 years. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Japan's central bank joins Fed in easing policy

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

By ELAINE KURTENBACHAP Business Writer TOKYO (AP) - Japan's central bank on Wednesday ramped up its efforts to spur economic growth, following similar steps by central bankers in the United States and Europe. The Bank of Japan announced it would boost the size and duration of a government

Heineken tightens hold on Tiger beer

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

AMSTERDAM (AP) - Heineken NV says it has taken another step closer to winning its struggle to take over Asia Pacific Breweries, maker of Tiger beer. The Dutch brewer said Wednesday it has agreed to buy an 8.6 percent stake in APB from Thailand's Kindest Place Group Ltd. for around $960 million

US housing starts rose 2.3 percent in August, buoyed by single-family construction

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

WASHINGTON (AP) - US housing starts rose 2.3 percent in August, buoyed by single-family construction. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

US housing starts rose 2.3 percent in August

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

By MARTIN CRUTSINGERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. builders started work on more homes in August, driven by the fastest pace of single-family home construction in more than two years. The increase points to steady progress in the housing recovery. The Commerce Department said

Encouraging reports about housing lift US stocks

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

By DANIEL WAGNERAP Business Writer A pair of encouraging reports about the housing market gave U.S. stocks a little boost Wednesday. Home sales jumped to the highest level in more than two years in August, the National Association of Realtors said. Sales rose 7.8 percent to a seasonally

Yellow Pages group Hibu's shares slide on warning

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on September 19th

LONDON (AP) - Hibu PLC, the publisher of the Yellow Pages directories, loses a third of its market value after it warned that restructuring could leave investors with worthless shares. Shares were down 34 percent at 0.45 pence in midday trading Wednesday in London. Hibu, formerly known as Yell