Business

Business Nordstrom 1st quarter net income slips Nordstrom 1st quarter net income slips
Nordstrom Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter net income fell 3 percent, hurt by weak demand for spring merchandise and softer performance in the Northeast and Midwest.
Business Gauge of US economy's future health up in April Gauge of US economy's future health up in April
Steady job gains and a recovering housing market are driving the economy and helping offset deep federal spending cuts that threaten growth, Conference Board economist says.
Business Wal-Mart's 1Q profit, sales disappoint Wal-Mart's 1Q profit, sales disappoint
The world's largest retailer reported Thursday that its first-quarter profit edged up just slightly, and the company struggled with a sales slump in its namesake business during the three-month period.
Business Only 2 of 13 small SUVs do well in crash tests Only 2 of 13 small SUVs do well in crash tests
Only two of 13 small SUVs performed well in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group, with several popular models faring poorly in the evaluations.
Business U.S. factory output falls 0.4 percent in April U.S. factory output falls 0.4 percent in April
U.S. factories cut back sharply on production in April, as auto companies cranked out fewer cars and most other industries reduced output. The weakness suggests economic growth may be slowing this spring.
Business U.S. homebuilder confidence rises in May from April U.S. homebuilder confidence rises in May from April
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders rebounded this month, reflecting improved sales trends during the spring home-selling season and the strongest outlook for sales over the next six months in more than six years.
Business Eurozone recession extends into 6th quarter Eurozone recession extends into 6th quarter
The recession across the economy of the 17 European Union countries that use the euro extended into its sixth quarter - longer than the calamitous slump that hit the region in the financial crisis of 2008-9.
Business Washington state hops in high demand; Cougar Ale on the way Washington state hops in high demand; Cougar Ale on the way
In 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. founder Ken Grossman effectively put the Cascade hop of Yakima on the map. More than three decades later, Washington State University researchers studying optimal brewing qualities with that same hop recently interned with Sierra Nevada master brewers to hone their brewing skills and learn advanced brewing methods that are being pioneered by American craft brewers.