H&R Block Posts Loss, Cites Slow Start to Tax Season

swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss, as the nation's biggest tax preparer said an "industrywide slow start to tax season" hurt revenue.
The company said last month that its tax-return preparations so far this season rose from a year ago, and that it saw strong momentum through February, even after a slow start to the tax season for the whole industry.

Men's Wearhouse 4Q Loss Narrows; Shares Up On Forecasts

Men's Wearhouse Inc.'s (MW) fiscal fourth-quarter loss narrowed, in line with company expectations, as the apparel seller reported higher sales.
The company also forecast current-quarter earnings of 27 cents to 30 cents a share and full-year earnings of $1.75 to $1.85. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect 29 cents and $1.72, respectively.

Cattle Rally to Record as Export Demand Increases, Boosting Wal-Mart Costs

Cattle futures jumped to a record in Chicago as rising demand for U.S. beef erodes supplies of animals for slaughterhouses and boosts meat costs for food retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
The U.S. cattle herd is the smallest since 1958 as beef exports surged 19 percent in 2010 to about 2.3 billion pounds (1.04 million metric tons), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cattle prices have jumped 27 percent in the past year, fueled by a global economic recovery that is boosting meat demand in emerging economies, including China.

GLOBAL MARKETS-Brent oil jumps on Libya, denting world stocks

* Brent jumps over 2 pct on Libya, lack of OPEC action
* Portugal sells bonds, long-term financing worries remain
* European stocks close down; IBM shares support Dow (Updates with U.S. markets close, adds Nikkei futures)

Stocks flat as investors continue to watch oil

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks closed little changed Wednesday in what was mostly a quiet session, as investors closely tracked developments in Libya and oil prices.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) lost 1 point to close at 12,213.

NYC jurors could hear inside trading case soon

NEW YORK — Jurors could soon be hearing the government's case against a man who was one of the richest Americans before he was charged in what prosecutors say is history's biggest hedge fund insider trading case.

Carlos Slim still first as world's richest list grows, spreads

If it seems like the rest of the world is getting richer, it's true, it is.
The world's wealthiest people had a record-breaking good year in 2011, says Forbes magazine, which released its list of the globe's billionaires. During the year, 214 people became billionaires, bringing the world's total to 1,210 people holding $4.5 trillion. These billionaires' wealth is larger than the Gross Domestic Product of Germany.