Teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch reported higher quarterly profit Friday, helped by stronger sales in all its chains and better gross profit.

Retailer Macy's reported a quarterly loss Wednesday as a difficult retail environment hurt sales and it incurred costs from a restructuring.

Stocks declined Tuesday as investors expressed their disappointment in Wal-Mart's outlook, HP's deal and a slew of other news. Surprising resilience in retail sales, excluding autos, helped curb losses. The Nasdaq eked out a gain, led by Yahoo.

The EFuel100 MicroFueler is the world's first portable ethanol microrefinery system — both a pump station and an ethanol distiller reduced to an appliance-sized unit, allowing users to create usable fuel for most cars with a simple mix of sugar, water and yeast.

Stocks declined Tuesday as investors juggled a mixed bag of news: Retail sales outside of the hard-hit auto sector showed suprising resilience, while a well-known analyst cut her outlook for big banks. Wal-Mart skidded after the discount giant posted decent results but issued a tepid outlook.

Stocks declined Tuesday as investors juggled a mixed bag of news: Retail sales outside of the hard-hit auto sector showed suprising resilience, while a well-known analyst cut her outlook for big banks. Wal-Mart skidded after the discount giant posted decent results but issued a tepid outlook.

Chinese retail sales powered ahead in April, providing welcome evidence for policy makers that sturdy domestic demand is taking up slack in the economy left by softening exports.

If energy and food prices continue to surge, consumers aren't going to be able to keep up, which would have a huge impact on the economy -- and stocks.  Still,  the market doesn't seem worried.

Circuit City Stores said Friday that it will allow Blockbuster and the movie-rental company's largest shareholder, Carl Icahn, to conduct due diligence in connection with Blockbuster's proposed acquisition of Circuit City.

Oil prices have soared nearly 10 percent in the past four sessions alone, and CNBC asked the experts for insights and answers.

Stocks bounced back from the prior session's slide, led by techs and materials, as techs staged a rebound and materials benefited from higher metal prices. Better-than-expected retail sales also buoyed the market.  Financials declined after federal regulators proposed increased oversight of investment banks.

Many US retailers posted better-than-expected sales in April. However, with most consumers sticking to bargains or basics, don't expect an extended rebound in retail.

McDonald's, the world's largest fast-food chain, said on Thursday that sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose 5 percent globally in April, helped by strong sales in China, Australia and Russia.

Many US retailers posted better-than-expected sales in April. However, with most consumers sticking to bargains or basics, don't expect an extended rebound in retail.

Stocks bounced back Thursday following a sharp drop in jobless claims and better-than-expected monthly sales from Wal-Mart.