Prices are much firmer in the high-end product arena than in the moderate price discount arena.

Mass merchandising and discount retailing is moving in a big way toward private labels and exclusive designer brands, ... That Wal-Mart is rumored to be contemplating something like this is logical, given the trend in the industry.

I continue to believe that the effects of higher gas prices on the consumer are overestimated. Most of the important measures of discretionary spending such as furniture, lawn and garden and food sales held up nicely.

They don?t want to show the real high price. They take the prices off the pumps so that people don't know what the price is before they get into the station.

JGB prices dropped, hit mainly by firmer stock prices.

Shell is profiting from the current high oil prices, but we are all paying the price. Oil companies must be forced to face up to their wider responsibilities - on climate change, on the environment and on human rights.