AP - With Microsoft's $47.5 billion takeover bid off the table and his company's stock price down 20 percent during his 13-month reign as Yahoo's CEO, Jerry Yang has a message for his exasperated shareholders: Things aren't as bleak as they look.

AP - Raising prices and streamlining its production lines helped Hershey to dramatically higher second-quarter sales and profit, the nation's largest candy maker said Wednesday, even as it absorbs spiraling commodity costs and puts new emphasis on marketing muscle.

AP - American consumers shying away from bottled water and soft drinks hurt PepsiCo's bottom line, but growth in its international and Frito-Lay snack businesses was strong enough to lead the company to a 9 percent rise in second-quarter profit.

AP - Consumers helped bring McDonald's Corp. back to profitability in the second quarter by spending on breakfast biscuits, chicken sandwiches and drinks despite the tough economy in the U.S.

AFP - The top US airlines have posted heavy losses in the current earnings season as spiraling fuel prices have forced them to cut flights, fleets and staff, as well as raise fares and add fees.

AP - Profits posted Wednesday by Pfizer Inc. and Wyeth show a common theme among pharmaceutical companies — nearly all the growth they're seeing these days is overseas, driven by emerging markets and the weak dollar.

Reuters - Mobile phone chip and technology supplier Qualcomm Inc on Wednesday posted a profit for its fiscal third quarter and revenue rose amid increasing demand for phones with high-speed Web links.

Reuters - Amazon.com Inc said on Wednesday quarterly profit doubled and sales grew 41 percent, indicating to Wall Street that many cost-conscious shoppers are heading online to save money in a tough economy.

AP - Amazon.com Inc. doesn't seem to be bothered by high gas prices or the sputtering U.S. economy.