Chevy, Buick brand heads make quick exits General Motors has replaced its Chevrolet brand manager after just five months and its Buick brand chief is leaving after only a few days on the job, as the company continues to shake up its top management ranks. GM said Wednesday that James Campbell will now lead Chevrolet, the company's largest and most important brand. Campbell replaces Brent Dewar, who will retire April 1 to spend more time with family and pursue personal interests. In addition, GM said Michael Richards, who was named Buick and GMC general manager on Dec. 1, is leaving to pursue other career opportunities. That's the same day the GM board forced the resignation of former CEO Fritz Henderson.
McDonald's to add some $1 breakfast items McDonald's Corp. will begin selling a variety of breakfast items for $1 early next month, a spokeswoman for the world's largest hamburger chain said Thursday. The move comes as McDonald's tries to fight a decline in U.S. sales, which have slipped following months of success when its cheap eats were a big draw for recession-strapped diners. On tap to be added to the menu, which already includes eight items for lunch and dinner, are the company's Sausage McMuffin, a sausage burrito, a sausage biscuit, a small coffee and hash browns.
Coke, Costco make up after pricing dispute Coca-Cola Co. products will soon be available again in Costco stores now that a pricing dispute with the wholesale club operator has been settled. Costco, which is based in Issaquah, Wash., did not remove Coca-Cola products from its shelves, but it did not reorder them during the three-week dispute.
Trading scandal snares ex-New Jersey lawyer A former attorney pleaded guilty Thursday to securities fraud, admitting a role in a $53 million insider trading case already brought against 20 others, including billionaire Galleon Group founder and hedge fund operator Raj Rajaratnam. Brien Santarlas, 33, of Hoboken, N.J., entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Mortgage rates rise a bit but still below 5% Mortgage rates rose this week but still remained below 5 percent, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average fixed rate on 30-year mortgages was 4.81 percent, up from a record-low 4.71 percent last week. Last year at this time, the average fixed rate on 30-year mortgages was 5.47 percent.
Nielsen closing the book on some of its titles The Nielsen Co. is selling some of its most prominent trade journals -- including The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard -- and shutting down Editor & Publisher, which has chronicled the newspaper business for more than 100 years. Nielsen also is closing the book review title Kirkus Reviews.
Natural gas prices climb as oil prices fall Natural gas prices surged 8 percent Thursday as the government reported supplies dropped, yet the price of crude fell for the seventh day. A barrel of crude dipped below $70 for the first time in two months before settling at $70.54 on the NYMEX.
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