COMPANIES

Energizer Holdings Inc's (ENR.N) quarterly profit did not fall as much as expected, as strong razor sales helped mitigate the impact of higher costs for materials such as zinc and weak demand for batteries.

Hospira Inc (HSP.N) on Wednesday reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly net profit, driven by positive results for the prostate cancer treatment oncolytic docetaxel in the United States.

Analysts expect Boeing Co (BA.N) to report a narrowed quarterly profit on Wednesday, but Wall Street will be looking for executive comments on its high-profile commercial airplane programs.

Zimmer Holdings Inc (ZMH.N) reported higher quarterly net earnings on Wednesday on stronger sales, mainly outside the United States.

Clorox Co (CLX.N) once again turned down an offer from activist investor Carl Icahn, calling his latest bid of $80 per share "inadequate."

Perry Chen was working in the New Orleans' music industry when he faced a cash-crunch during the city's JazzFest. He wanted to bring a European musician to perform at the festival but couldn't raise the money. A decade later, other artists are now reaping the benefits of Chen's brainstorm: online fundraising site Kickstarter.

A decade ago Austin bookseller Steve Bercu faced a Texas-sized threat to his independent store: Borders was planning to build a megastore just blocks away. So he dug in his spurs and garnered community support that kept the franchise out of his area.

Clorox rejected Carl Icahn's takeover bid for the second time on Wednesday, calling the bid "inadequate."

Amazon's stock is trading near a 52-week high, up more than five percent Wednesday after the company posted strong second quarter earnings and profits. But Amazon will go higher, say some analysts, because the company has a decided competitive advantage.

The Obama administration is in talks with General Motors (GM) and Ford (F) for the framework of an agreement that would raise the U.S. fuel economy average to 54.5 mile per gallon (mpg) in 2025.

McDonald's is cutting fries to a half order and adding apples to Happy Meals, because the company says consumers want more nutritious options. But parents and others ordering for children already have that option. They don't have to buy Happy Meals and other less nutritious food at all.

McDonald's will start adding more fruits and vegetables to its famed Happy Meal after years of criticism from health advocates. The measure is in part directed at fighting childhood obesity by offering more healthy options on menus and cutting down on calories, but the main question is will it make a difference?

Boeing Co on Wednesday reported a larger quarterly profit on a 6 percent increase in revenue.

Dunkin' Brands (DNKN.O) has raised $422.75 million after pricing its IPO at $19 per share, well above the range set by underwriters, signaling strong demand for this week's biggest deal.

September 11 "was an attack against America, not Christianity," the group claims.

After shocking her fans and upsetting the animal rights groups by wearing the infamous Meat Dress, what could be expected next from Gaga? A Bone dress? Possible.

Deluxe and Technicolor, historic rivals in Hollywood's post-production business, have announced a new agreement in which each will concede and subcontract a segment of its business to the other.

It's not too late to find investor-friendly exchange-traded funds specializing in safe-haven currencies and precious metals, experts say, though the August 2 deadline for raising the U.S. debt ceiling is days away. For more intrepid individuals, there are even some tech ETFs that seem to be holding their own.

The dollar fell broadly on Tuesday as lawmakers remained deadlocked over raising the nation's debt ceiling to avoid a devastating default, while U.S. and European shares also declined.

Oil prices edged up in choppy trading on Tuesday, lifted by a weak dollar while markets were buffeted by the continued stalemate over the U.S. debt ceiling that hemmed in Wall Street.

Gold held steady on Tuesday after the last session's record high, as investors stayed on the sidelines, watching the stalemate in Washington's budget talks to avert a ratings downgrade or default.

Victor Castro Jr. grew up in a modest, three-bedroom house in the heart of a middle-class neighborhood in suburban Phoenix.

The largest Internet retailer benefited from growth in e-commerce, though margins continued to be pressured by heavy spending on distribution, technology and digital content.

A Clorox investor filed a lawsuit against the company, in hopes to bar the company from using a "poison pill" against Carl Icahn.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced today a list of nearly 3,700 retail offices to be studied and potentially closed as early as November and replaced by new Village Post Offices in an effort to compensate for losses.

Amazon posted second quarter revenue and profits that beat Wall Street's estimates. The company's stock advanced in after-hours trading.

The U.S. Post Office says it is considering closing another 3,700 retail outlets throughout the country. It's time to ask the question: Has the Internet doomed the USPS?

BP announced second quarter earnings of 5.3 billion on Tuesday, a stark contrast from last year's second quarter loss of $17.15 billion, behind profits from skyrocketing oil prices.

Google+ says now it will notify users with fake names about the violation before accounts are canceled, so they will have the opportunity to remedy the situation, or tell Google+ it's a mistake.