Christian Science Monitor | Business

Stocks rally as Greek debt talks show signs of life

After losing for most of the day, the Dow rallied to close up four points at 12878 on late reports that suggested the unraveling Greek debt talks might be saved after all.

Can a Prius increase global warming?

Some argue that driving fuel-efficient cars will actually encourage people to drive more, boosting carbon emissions and hastening climate change. Here's why they're wrong.

Valentine's Day: cost of romance rising for flower delivery, 4 other things

When you arrange for flower delivery or take a special someone out for dinner this Valentine's Day, it'll cost more than it did a year ago. That's the cold hard fact about a warmhearted and festive day, according official US inflation data.

But the rising cost may actually be a relatively small one: Those chocolate or flower prices haven't been rising at gas-pump-fast rates. Here's the official inflation tally of five common Valentine's Day activities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Obama's budget plan hammers investors

The president's plan to raise tax revenue could mean disaster for the equity markets.

Apple stock at $500 a share. And climbing?

Apple stock hit the $500 mark on Monday. By common valuation standards, Apple stock should be much higher.

Does higher minimum wage increase unemployment?

Some say that as unemployment falls, the quality of available workers diminishes, which droves down wages. Is it true?

Five budget realities no politician will talk about (not even Ron Paul)

Ron Paul deserves credit for making the boldest proposals of any candidate in the presidential race. The astonishing reality of the federal government’s budget situation, however, is that even his plans might not be enough to keep Uncle Sam out of bankruptcy. While President Obama offers a $3.8 trillion budget that optimistically might cut the federal deficit to $575 billion by 2018, federal data suggest the United States is already broke. The Federal Reserve estimates that the net value of all private assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, businesses, cash, etc., is $57 trillion. But the Treasury Department estimates the federal government’s net worth is a negative $61 trillion. Here are five budget realities that no candidate wants to acknowledge:

Verizon SNL skit: Is smartphone market too confusing?

Verizon and other wireless carriers are marketing so many devices and options that smartphone shopping may be too confusing for the general consumer. Even SNL has poked fun via a Verizon skit.

$1 billion Empire State Building IPO: why it won't be like Facebook IPO

The Empire State Building is set to make a $1 billion IPO, but investors probably won't be as excited as they were about Facebook or other tech IPOs.

Why do European central bankers sound like Austrian economists?

After attending a European Central Bank workshop on global liquidity, the author learned that European monetary economists sound surprisingly like Austrian economists.

Want your business to grow? Learn how to step away

Once a business starts growing, the entrepreneur faces a challenge: do they work in the business or work on the business?

EU approves Google's $12.5B Motorola Mobility acquisition

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said in a statement Monday that regulators didn't believe the transaction itself raised any competitive problems.

How to find a retirement saving plan that works for you

Everyone has a different idea for how they want to spend their retirement. Given how varied people's goals are, why is it reasonable to think that everyone should have the same retirement saving plan?

Corporate boards are missing the big picture – and profits

Boards of directors need to maximize value for stakeholders, not just shareholders. Why? It's good business.

Signs of a Hong Kong real estate bubble?

The price of residential properties in Hong Kong declined 3.8 percent since November, according to a report by the University of Hong Kong.

Consumer confidence slides

Early reports indicate that consumer expectations will drop in February, indicating that consumers are tightening even further on spending.

Tech stocks: Hold Apple. Be selective on others.

Tech stocks have engendered a lot of skepticism, but certain tech stocks are attractively priced, analysts say, even Apple.

Good gas conservation habits pay off

Making a few little changes to how you drive can save you a surprising amount of fuel without adding much time at all to your trip.

Health insurance plan: No more changes on birth control rule

Health insurance program's new rule on contraceptive coverage, after Obama's compromise for religious groups, will have no other changes, says White House chief of staff. But US Catholic bishops say they will still challenge health insurance plan in the courts.

For short trips, use a bike

Spring is around the corner. That means warmer weather, bike rides, and savings from not going by car.