Robert Hull

Home Depot Profit Tops Analysts’ Estimates on Housing

Home Depot Inc. posted fourth- quarter profit that topped analysts’ estimates as shoppers spent more on projects and Hurricane Sandy repairs. The company also raised its dividend and approved a $17 billion share buyback.

U.S. Stocks Fall Most Since November on Italian Elections

U.S. stocks fell, giving benchmark indexes their biggest losses since November, as partial election results spurred concern about prospects for a stable government in Italy and a worsening of Europe’s debt crisis.

Lowe’s Falls After Clearance Sales Hurt Profitability

Lowe’s Cos., the second-largest U.S. home-improvement retailer, tumbled the most in six months after forecasting profit this year that trailed analysts’ estimates amid sales to clear slower-moving merchandise.

Housing Poised to Bolster U.S. Growth as Sales Rise: Economy

Sales of previously owned homes climbed to a three-year high in November, reinforcing forecasts that the industry is set to contribute to U.S. annual economic growth for the first time since 2005.

GMAC's Carpenter Said to Consider Ex-Citigroup Colleague Yastine for CFO

GMAC Inc. , the U.S.-controlled auto and home lender, is close to naming a chief financial officer and has considered appointing Barbara Yastine , the former CFO for investment banking at Credit Suisse Group AG and Citigroup Inc., according to three people with knowledge of the search.

Lowe’s Builds Up Leverage to Buy Back Shares: Corporate Finance

Lowe’s Cos. is raising $2 billion in the bond market to finance stock repurchases as the second- biggest U.S. home-improvement retailer boosts leverage to reward shareholders even as its profitability wanes.

Sales of Existing U.S. Homes Climb to Three-Year High

Sales of previously owned homes rose more than forecast in November to reach a three-year high as lower borrowing costs sustained the U.S. housing rebound.

Payrolls in U.S. Rose 80,000 in June; Jobless Rate 8.2%

American employers added fewer workers to payrolls than forecast in June and the jobless rate stayed at 8.2 percent as the economic outlook dimmed.

Lowe’s Plans Debt Sale for Buybacks, Capital Spending

Lowe’s Cos. , the second-largest U.S. home-improvement retailer, plans to sell $1 billion of debt that may be spent for working capital, stock buybacks and for capital expenditures.

Americans Look Past Fiscal Debate as Spending Rises: Economy

Americans looked past the debate on fiscal policy in November as consumer spending and demand for durable goods climbed, indicating the economy strengthened heading into the current impasse on tax rates and spending cuts.

"Consumers will need to prioritize how and where they are spending."

- Robert Hull on Dec 21, 2012

New York

Washington

Europe

Florida

Dow Reaches 15,000 as Jobs Growth Exceeds Forecasts

Keystone Foes Seek Climate Measures in Case They Lose

Dow Reaches 15,000 as Copper Jumps While Treasuries Fall

Lucrative Fees Behind Real Estate Management Spur Fights

Payrolls in U.S. Rise 165,000 as Unemployment Rate Drops