Business software maker Salesforce.com Tuesday reported a slowdown in new business ahead of its busiest quarter of the year, sending its shares lower after hours.

The number 2 US discout retailer reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as traffic in its stores improved and shoppers purchased more than just necessities, like food or medicine.

Hedge fund manager Edward Lampert cut his stakes in housing and financial stocks during the third quarter, possibly suggesting he does not see a quick recovery following last year's financial crisis.

Home Depot posted a higher than expected quarterly profit Tuesday but warned that there was still a lot of pressure in the U.S. housing and home improvement markets, sending its shares lower.

Microsoft  co-founder Paul Allen has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and has begun treatment, a spokesman for his investment company said on Monday.

What follows is a roundup of corporate earnings reports for Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Former Bank of America general counsel Timothy Mayopoulos said he was 'stunned' to be fired as the bank was trying to wrap up its purchase of Merrill Lynch, after being told he would become the combined company's new general counsel.

Devon Energy said Monday it plans to sell its Gulf of Mexico and international assets and focus on its onshore fields in the United States and Canada.

Lowe's, the second-largest U.S. home improvement chain, posted a 30 percent drop in quarterly profit as consumers put off big renovations as the U.S. housing market remains sluggish, sending shares down 2.1 percent in premarket trading.

U.S. network equipment maker Cisco raised its bid for Norwegian video conferencing equipment maker Tandberg and said it was backed by holders of more than 40 percent of its shares after few warmed to its previous offer.

What follows is a roundup of corporate earnings reports for Monday,  Nov. 16.

Insurance giant Marsh and McLennan, rocked by a bid-rigging scandal five years ago, will pay $435 million to settle two class action suits in the case.

Playboy Enterprises is in preliminary talks to sell itself to Iconix Brand Group, people familiar with the matter said.

Two computer programmers provided technical support to falsify documents and trading records for swindler Bernard Madoff and took hush money to help keep the massive fraud going, U.S. authorities said.

U.S. department store operator JC Penney forecast earnings for the holiday quarter that could surpass Wall Street expectations, and its shares rose about 8 percent on Friday.