IBT Staff Reporter

Google was ranked the world's most powerful brand for the second time, after the firm dominated the online advertisement industry across the globe.

Gold futures surged on Tuesday after crude oil hit a new record high and the dollar dropped to a record against the euro, boosting the appeal of the precious metal.

Sony BMG revealed on Tuesday that it will join Universal Music Group in a partnership that will allow users of certain mobile phones to access its entire music catalog by the end of the year.

Soaring fuel prices led three of the largest U.S. airlines to report substantial quarterly losses on Tuesday, with UAL Corp, parent of United Airlines, posting its largest loss since in two years and will shrink its domestic business this year, in line with plans at other airlines.

The dollar fell to a new low against the euro on Tuesday, crossing the $1.60 per euro mark, after European Central Bank officials signaled that growing inflation may force the bank to boost interest rates.

Copper prices rose on Tuesday as a labor strike in Chile's largest producer Codelco closed three mining divisions raising concerns that supplies would not be able to meet worldwide demand.

Crude prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Tuesday as a labor clash in a refinery in Scotland and Nigeria output disruptions raised fears that demand will soar.

Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, the second largest U.K. bank, unveiled a plan on Tuesday to raise 12 billion pounds in capital to boost its balance sheet by selling shares to investors after a reporting a 5.9 billion pound writedown.

By P S ZiadMUMBAI: Gold is playing a decisive role in the present economic scenario as inflation and recession have eaten the vital parts of every country s economy.

U.S. stocks fell for a second day on Tuesday, after a batch of disappointing results was released, including microchip maker Texas Instruments Inc, health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc and Coach Inc., which increased concerns about the health of the economy.

McDonald's Corp. reported better than expected profit growth for the first quarter on Tuesday on rising global sales. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based fast food company earned $946 million, compared with $762.4 million a year earlier.

AT&T Inc. posted a 22 percent rise in first-quarter net income on Tuesday, as strong growth at the company's wireless operations made up for its weakness in its traditional wireline business.

Dollar fell against the Euro on Monday due to the unexpectedly weak result from the Bank of America which dampened the investors in the banking sector and also renewed concerns about the US economy.

Sterling weakened against the dollar as weak UK house price data reinforced the concerns about the economy.

By Jon NadlerMetals prices remained within fairly tight ranges overnight as little demand emerged from Asia around the $910 level. The US dollar once again came very close to the critical 1.60 mark against the euro, while crude oil scaled new peaks above $118 spurred by labour problems in the UK and...

By Bill BonnerAmericans could reap without planting. They could consume without earning. They could invest without saving, and spend as much as they wanted without running out of money

By Julian D W PhillipsA derivative is a paper instrument founded on an asset. Its value is derived from that underlying asset, and it can be a purchase or sale of a commodity in the future

By Jon NadlerCommodities are in their seventh years of gains, with oil rising above $117 a barrel for the first time and rice rallying for a sixth day

Citigroup may need to suspend or cut its dividend to shareholders as the company makes moves to regain profitability in the wake of heavy losses linked to the mortgage and credit markets, according to an analyst.

Nestle SA said its first quarter sales rose 6 percent to 25.7 billion Swiss francs or $25 billion as the company rose prices of its products.

Air France-KLM, the largest airline in the world by sales, dropped its 138 million euro ($220 million) bid for Italy's flagship carrier Alitalia on Monday, following failed talks with union leaders and uncertainty about the Italian government's position regarding the sale.

The FTSE 100 share index was almost unchanged as Monday came to an end, with the index going down only 3.5 points to 6,053.0 (down 0.06 per cent).

Scottish and Southern Energy Plc (SSE) announced on Monday that it had bought a 21 per cent stake in Logan Energy Limited at a cost of £375,000 plus goodwill brought to the new business.

Marks and Spencer Group Plc (M&S) has said it will be entering into a joint venture with Reliance Retail, with the aim of establishing M&S as a major retail brand in India.

Rentokil Initial Plc has said that its City Link parcel delivery business has continued to experience difficulties in the first quarter of 2008.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has released a new survey suggesting that consumers are switching from credit cards to cash, thanks to the slowdown in the economy.

Copper prices closed with losses on Monday in New York as fears that record highs above $4 a pound posted on last week trading, could decrease Chinese demand.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is also the founder of financial news and data company Bloomberg L.P., denied reports released Monday that he is interested in buying The New York Times.

McDonald's Corp. expects to show a quarterly profit on Tuesday buoyed by growing global as sales as investors watch closely to see how the U.S. economic downturn has affected the biggest food retailer by revenue.