Tax credit gives home sales best boost in decade
WASHINGTON (AP) -- First-time buyers taking advantage of a special tax credit gave sales of existing homes in October their biggest surge in a decade, raising hopes for a turnaround in the housing market and pleasing Wall Street....

HP profit jumps on cost-cutting, services strength
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Hewlett-Packard Co.'s profit jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter, proof that cost-cutting and a push into rival IBM Corp.'s stronghold of technology services is helping the company absorb a falloff in sales in most of its major divisions....

Weak dollar, home sales data carry stocks higher
NEW YORK (AP) -- The stock market ended a three-day losing streak Monday, closing broadly higher as a weaker dollar and upbeat home sales numbers encouraged investors to take on more risk....

AP-GfK Poll: Debt turning shoppers into Scrooges
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A lot more Americans are feeling stressed out by debt this holiday season, raising the glum likelihood they'll behave like Scrooge rather than Santa....

Obama: US economy has 'core strengths'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama said Monday the nation's economy is in good shape for the long term thanks to "core strengths" such as its universities, its innovation and a dynamic workforce....

Tyson Foods posts 4Q loss on beef charge
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Tyson Foods Inc. said it made strides in the meat business this year and predicts more improvements next year, but analysts worry the company's all-important chicken business is lagging others in the industry....

Economic survey: Job losses to bottom out in 1Q
Economists expect the joblessness that has weighed down the nation's economic recovery will start to slowly abate in 2010, but they predict consumers will continue to keep a tight rein on spending, according to a new survey....

Feds find association between drywall, corrosion
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The federal government said Monday that it has found a "strong association" between problematic imported Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires, a conclusion that supports complaints by thousands of homeowners over the last year....

Gas prices fall to begin busy travel week
Retail gasoline prices headed downward in most places to begin one of the country's busiest travel weeks, with more than 33 million people expected to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday....

Campbell Soup earnings rise as expenses fall
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (AP) -- Price-conscious grocery shoppers are being choosy about what they buy to cook at home, even from the value-oriented Campbell Soup Co....