Economic data out Wednesday morning sent mixed messages for the economy. The good news: First-time weekly jobless claims in the US dipped under the 500,000 mark for the first time in 54 weeks, to 466,000.

This morning, Goldman Sachs and UBS revised their ratings on shares of NRG Energy (NRG). Goldman reduced EPS estimates through 2012 as the company is less likely to repurchase as many shares.

Confusion about the ex-div date for Brazilian Telecommunications Corporation (TBH) yesterday caused shares to rally, followed by a halt in trading at around 11:30am. Today, shares of Brazilian Telecommunications are now trading down over sixteen and three quarters percent.

This morning, UBS initiated coverage on EMC (EMC) with a Buy rating. Analysts at the firm believe the company will be able to expand margins further in 2010 and see this boosting earnings going forward.

J. Crew (JCG) shares are getting a boost Wednesday after the retailer reported it had more than doubled its profits in the third quarter.

The CEO of AIG has reportedly signed a non-compete contract, which could be a sign that he plans to stay put at the struggling insurer. The Wall Street Journal reported today that AIG chairman Harvey Golub told the newspaper that CEO Robert Benmosche is committed to leading the company until the...

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) posted a third quarter profit Wednesday that slid 1%, to $43.3 million, or 34 cents per share, as compared to $43.8 million, or 36 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) said Wednesday needs to recall 3.8 million vehicles to replace faulty floor pedals. Drivers reported sudden acceleration and the possibility of the gas pedal getting stuck in the down position.

J. Crew (JCG) shares are getting a boost Wednesday after the retailer reported it had more than doubled its profits in the third quarter.

Haliburton (HAL) shares are getting pinched today after the Number 2 oilfield services company said production cuts from Petroleos Mexicanos will shave two cents off of fourth quarter earnings. Pemex, Mexicos state-owned oil company, has seen production fall as its reserves decline.

Deere & Co. (DE) posted a fourth quarter net loss of $222.8 million, or 53 cents per share, as compared to a net gain of $345 million, or 81 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

A weak dollar has driven hot money into farm commodities, but prices have outrun fundamentals, Barrons.com's Bob O'Brien argues.

Merck announced a $3 billion share buy back today. The company said buyback will go to its treasury, and the purchase will be made in the open market as well as in private deals.

This morning, Barnes & Noble (BKS) declared its quarterly dividend of twenty five cents per share, maintaining the amount paid last quarter. With the dividend, the company also announced disappointing earnings for the quarter, as the company lost forty three cents per share.

Cracker Barrel shares a getting a big boost today after the restaurant chain and retailer posted a 40 percent jump in fiscal first quarter earnings, and boosted its guidance. Cracker Barrel said it earned $18 million, or 78 cents per share, as compared to $12.8 million, or 57 cents per share, in t...

Financial security advisor Tom Patterson offers advice to consumers for protecting credit cards from theft during this holiday shopping season. WSJ's Mary Pilon reports.

Warner Music Group (WMG) posted a loss from continuing operations of $0.12 per diluted share compared to income from continuing operations of $0.04 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter, missing on analyst estimates. The company noted that there were $14 million in severance charges in the qu...

Analog Devices (ADI) reported fourth quarter revenue of $572 million, and diluted EPS of $0.36 per share, beating estimates by 10 cents. Gross margins were 56.3% and operating margin was 22.5%.

Amazon. om (AMZN) announced today it has boosted the battery life on its Kindle electronic reading device by 85 percent.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) shares are falling today after the company reported earnings after the bell last night. H-P reported profits 14 percent higher last night, of $2.41 billion, or 99 cents per share, as compared to earnings of $2.11 billion, or 84 cents per share, in the me quarter last year.

The US economy did not grow as quickly as initially reported in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said today. Revised gross domestic product data showed GDP grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter.

This morning, investment firm First Global downgraded shares of Dell (DELL) from Outperform to Market Perform as the firm is concerned about the company's poor performance. While the macroeconomic environment for computer makers is improving, Dell continues to lose market share to peers like...

Hormel's fiscal fourth quarter profit rose 50 percent, helped by lower costs as sales fell. Hormel earned $103.9 million, or 77 cents per share, as compared to $67.8 million, or 50 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

This morning, Wells Fargo upgraded shares of Prudential Financial (PRU) from Market Perform to Outperform as the firm believe the insurer has positioned itself better than its peers through the credit crisis. Analysts at the firm see a better capitalized company with more financial flexibility relat...

Two top bookstore chains posted earnings today, and neither reported a happy ending to the quarter. Barnes & Noble said it lost $24 million in its fiscal second quarter, totaling 43 cents per share, as compared to a narrower loss of $16 million, or 34 cents per share.