Apple Inc.'s fiscal fourth-quarter profits jumped 67 percent and easily beat Wall Street expectations, capping a record-breaking year that saw unprecedented momentum in its Mac business, ceaseless consumer interest in its iPod players and a successful introduction of its newest endeavor, the iPhone.

  Investors retreated from the commodities markets Monday amid concerns that global economic growth could slow, damping demand for raw materials.

  Texas Instruments Inc., the largest maker of chips used in wireless phones, said Monday third-quarter earnings rose 11 percent as demand for analog chips and lower manufacturing costs overcame a drop in revenue.

  Apple Inc.'s fiscal fourth-quarter profits jumped 67 percent and easily beat Wall Street expectations, capping a record-breaking year that saw unprecedented momentum in its Mac business, ceaseless consumer interest in its iPod players and a successful introduction of its newest endeavor, the iPhone.

  American Express Co., one of the biggest U.S. credit-card issuers, said Monday that higher spending by cardholders pushed third-quarter profit up 10 percent.

  The dollar recouped most of its losses Monday after falling to a new all-time low against the euro and a six-week low against the yen. The Canadian dollar gave up almost 2 percent of its value after hitting Friday's 33-year high.

  Wall Street finished a back-and-forth session higher Monday as investors overcame some of their nervousness about the credit markets and uneven earnings and found solace in the technology sector.

  The price of college in the United States again rose faster than the inflation rate this year, climbing 6.6 percent at four-year public schools and outstripping increases in the financial aid that lowers what most students actually pay.

  Royal Bank of Scotland PLC has entered exclusive talks to buy the assets of British hedge fund manager Cheyne Finance PLC, a source close to the deal said Monday. A deal could allow senior lenders to recover more than US$6 billion (?4.2 billion) in debt.

  Gold for current delivery closed at $755.80 per troy ounce Monday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down from $764.00 late Friday.

  An appetite is emerging overseas for cranberries, which have been a staple in American diets since long before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock.

  ING Financial Partners Inc. on Monday agreed to pay more than $1 million (?710,000) over an investment scheme in which a representative of the firm failed to repay investors from members of the Greek community in Massachusetts.

  Spam is now being served in audio form.

  Halliburton Co. is gearing up for increased oilfield services work in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America in the coming quarters, though pricing declines for some services in North America remain a concern, the company's chief executive said Monday.