AP - Slashing computer prices helped Dell Inc. boost sales in its fiscal second quarter, but the No. 2 PC maker's bottom line took a hit when efforts to cut costs failed to make up the difference.

AP - A look at how retailer Sears Holdings Corp. performed during the second quarter.

AP - Rising sales in Asia and Europe boosted Tiffany & Co.'s second-quarter profit on Thursday, signaling that strong international demand for jewelry is helping offset U.S. economic weakness.

AP - Beleaguered retailer Sears Holdings Corp. reported a hefty drop in second-quarter profit as sales slumped, despite a restructuring aimed at drawing back shoppers who've taken their checkbooks elsewhere.

Reuters - Dell Inc posted a surprisingly steep drop in quarterly earnings on Thursday and said companies around the world are cutting back on technology spending, sending its shares tumbling 10 percent and sparking fears of weakness in the whole tech sector.

AP - Computer maker Dell Inc. said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter profit fell 17 percent, hurt in part by PC price cuts. Both earnings and margins fell short of Wall Street estimates, and Dell shares plunged.

Reuters - French banks showed the scars of the financial crisis on Thursday, with heavy asset writedowns stripping Credit Agricole of all but a sliver of profit and plunging Natixis to a billion euro loss.

Reuters - U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co posted a higher quarterly profit on Thursday, benefiting from strong international sales and solid tourist spending at its New York flagship store.

Reuters - U.S. jewelers are confident they will prevail this holiday shopping season, betting that upscale and middle-income customers won't resist buying baubles despite a weak economy.

AP - TiVo Inc. managed consecutive quarters of profitability for the first time ever despite eroding subscriptions, demonstrating that the pioneer in digital video recorders is on track in reducing marketing expenses and subsidies.

Reuters - Sears Holdings Corp posted a quarterly profit that fell far short of Wall Street expectations and cut its full-year earnings forecast as consumers scaled back shopping in a weak U.S. economy.

AP - China Telecom Ltd. said Thursday its first-half earnings slipped 8 percent as revenues for fixed-line voice service shrank and warned it faces pressure on profits as Beijing carries out a planned restructuring of its telecoms industry.