WRAL.com Business Headlines

Unemployment falls in 40 US states, rises in 3

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:42:53 -0400

Solid hiring helped lower unemployment rates in 40 U.S. states last month, the most since November. The declines show the job market is improving throughout most of the country.

Syngenta unveils $72M Advanced Crop Lab in RTP

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:29:22 -0400

Built around 30 climate-controlled "environments" contained in all-glass greenhouses, the new 136,000 square foot facility had been under construction for nearly two years.

Stocks rise on hopeful signs for the US economy

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:43:01 -0400

Encouraging news about the U.S. economy extended the stock market's rally Friday.

Gauge of US economy's future health up in April

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:39:12 -0400

A measure of the U.S. economy's future health rose solidly in April, buoyed by a sharp rise in applications to build homes and a better job market.

A year after IPO, Facebook aims to be ad colossus

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:29:21 -0400

It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering.

Bloomberg appoints ex-IBM CEO as privacy adviser

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:53:16 -0400

Bloomberg LP, the financial news and information service, on Friday said it has appointed Samuel Palmisano, the former CEO of IBM, as an independent adviser on its privacy and data standards.

Obama: 'Our focus cannot drift' from jobs, economy

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:46:12 -0400

Trying to reset the agenda amid scandal in Washington, President Barack Obama turned his attention Friday to the economy and said lawmakers should spend every day resolute on how to help it grow and get people back to work. "Our focus cannot drift," he said.

Organic industry clout grows with consumer demand

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:58:20 -0400

The organic food industry is gaining clout on Capitol Hill, prompted by rising consumer demand and its entry into traditional farm states. But that isn't going over well with everyone in Congress.

EU Commission sees Greek recovery but few jobs

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:49:21 -0400

Greece's deep, six-year recession is likely to end in 2014, but unemployment will remain above 20 percent for another three years, the European Commission said Friday in a report.

Crack forces shutdown of nuclear reactor at Shearon Harris

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:52:51 -0400

A quarter-inch crack in a reactor sensor at the Shearon Harris nuclear plant in southwest Wake County has forced Duke Energy to take the plant offline, officials said Thursday.

Obama picks budget official to run troubled IRS

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:05:41 -0400

President Barack Obama picked a senior White House budget official to become the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday, the same day another top official announced plans to leave the agency amid the controversy over agents targeting tea party groups.

Expert: How to negotiate the 'most lucrative 5 minutes' of your life

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:29:54 -0400

Negotiating a salary for a new job or a raise at an existing job can be intimidating. Experts say most people negotiate the wrong way or, even worse, fail to negotiate at all.

Hedge fund takes stake in NetApp, presses for boost in shareholder value

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:27:54 -0400

Elliott Management Corp, a hedge fund founded by billionaire Paul Singer, has been in talks with NetApp for weeks over proposals that include returning cash to shareholders, according to Bloomberg News.

McCrory wants time to weigh Alcoa NC dams license

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:15:04 -0400

Gov. Pat McCrory needs more time to decide whether to grant Alcoa Inc. a new 50-year operating license for four dams that once powered an aluminum plant and provided local jobs but are now used solely to generate electricity sold by the company, a state attorney said.

OxyBio gets more time to show it meets NASDAQ listing rules

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:45:42 -0400

The Nasdaq, which had sent Oxygen Biotherapeutics, a delisting notice in March, gives the company more time to show it meets listing requirements.

Airlines losses narrowed in 1Q to $552 million

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:14:04 -0400

U.S. airlines charged more in fares and fees and reduced debt as they improved their financial performance in the first quarter.