For four straight weeks, the major stock indexes in the U.S. have increased reaching new highs. This week was the same as new data released has indicated the confidence amongst small business and consumers has improved, which helped to fuel new optimism in the world’s largest economy. The Standard & Poor 500 saw all 10 groups in its index advance this past week, with financial, industrial and technology stocks leading... 

In fees directly related to changed reservations and baggage, U.S. carriers earned more than $6 billion during 2012. The fees were the highest amount collected by airlines since they became more common about five years ago. The fees are expected to continue and even increase as airlines plan to start charging for prime seating as well as early boarding. The fees collected have helped the airline industry become profitable... 

The Dow and Standard & Poor’s 500 Index closed at record highs Friday. Stocks got third straight week of gains as the increase of Google and other technology shares offset the drop in energy stocks. Nasdaq also gained, due to the 1 percent increase in Google stock. Gains Indexes remained the same most of the trading session but got a late day surge. Last Thursday, the S&P 500 broke its five day streak of record... 

Japan’s yen passed the 100 per one dollar rate on Friday, a key indicator that could help push the troubled currency lower. The yen has not reached this level in close to four years. The level of 100 yen per dollar is an important bearish point, as it represents the midpoint between the currency’s all time high which was 75.35 in November of 2011 and its decade low of 124.14 that took place in 2007. Analysts believe... 

More quarterly results were announced on Monday and one of those was for HSBC. The bank reported it had its best quarter result in many years, as Britain’s largest bank had profits increase to $8.4 billion, which was close to a 50% over its profits from the same quarter one year ago. Costs at the bank dropped to $9.3 billion, which represented a drop of nearly $1 billion, when compared to the same quarter in 2012. Revenue... 

Detroit’s automobile industry has always been dependent on big vehicles that consume a lot of fuel. But that is now all in the past. Today, automakers in the United States stock their showrooms with new cars and fuel-efficient trucks. They are gaining ground on their Asian rivals with what is said to be the best lineup in a generation. Auto Industry Chrysler Group LLC, General Motors Co, and Ford Motors Co have exceeded...