The major drug makers remain highly profitable, but at some, sales are stagnant and profits are falling, leading to layoffs and cuts in research budgets.
Perhaps the only thing Wall Street fears more than an earnings surprise is a slowdown in the housing market. After all, the steadily spectacular rise in home values has been the economy's underpinning for some time now.
Investors have had a tough time this year. The S&P 500 is flat despite strong corporate profits. And 401(k)'s? Well, at least there's that tax savings.
The trouble with sitting on billions of dollars in cash--particularly if it has been earned in a way that annoys enough of the voting public--is that you might be hauled up to Capitol Hill to explain what you plan to do with it while also hearing a few choice ideas.
AP - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice rearranged her travel schedule at the last minute Monday to try to win a deal on Israeli-Palestinian border issues.
AP - American forces last year detained and later released an Iraqi with a name that matched one of three suicide bombers who struck Amman hotels, killing 57 people, the U.S. military said Monday.
The televised confession of an Iraqi woman -- accused of planning to be one of four suicide bombers in last week's attacks in Amman -- has shocked Jordanians, with some expressing joy over her capture and others venting anger over her plans. Some also are asking if Saijida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi really was involved in the attacks that killed 57 people at the Radisson, Grand Hyatt and Days Inn hotels.
American and Iraqi troops killed 45 suspected insurgents Monday as Operation Steel Curtain entered a third town near the Syrian border, the U.S. military said.