Why worry? Less aid by Fed would point to recovery
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Investors have grown nervous that the Federal Reserve will scale back its efforts to boost the U.S. economy sooner than many expected....

Stocks edge lower as investors reassess Fed fears
NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors recovered their poise after a shaky start to trading on Wall Street that sent stocks sharply lower....

Between economy and trouble, Obama approval steady
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The economy is recovering, the White House is dealing with multiple controversies, and President Barack Obama appears generally unaffected either way....

Sears reports bigger-than-expected 1Q loss
NEW YORK (AP) -- It was another ugly quarter for Sears Holdings Corp....

Japan's PM Abe defends policies as markets settle
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's top leaders are defending the economic strategies championed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, though the central bank chief acknowledged a need for better communication with financial markets, a day after Tokyo shares suffered their worst loss since the 2011 tsunami disaster....

Asia stocks extend losses after big sell-off
BANGKOK (AP) -- Asian stocks continued to retreat Friday after being routed the day before by unexpectedly weak Chinese manufacturing and fears the Federal Reserve will start withdrawing its monetary stimulus....

German business confidence unexpectedly rebounds
BERLIN (AP) -- German business confidence rebounded this month in an unexpectedly strong showing that sends a hopeful signal for more robust growth in Europe's biggest economy, a closely watched survey found Friday....

Stricken Japan nuke plant struggles to keep staff
TOKYO (AP) -- Keeping the meltdown-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in northeastern Japan in stable condition requires a cast of thousands. Increasingly the plant's operator is struggling to find enough workers, a trend that many expect to worsen and hamper progress in the decades-long effort to safely decommission it....

Procter & Gamble brings back A.G. Lafley as CEO
NEW YORK (AP) -- Procter & Gamble Co. is bringing back its former CEO, as the world's largest consumer-products maker tries to spur global growth....

Gap back in style as 1Q profit jumps 43 percent
NEW YORK (AP) -- After years of struggle, Gap is back in style....