Democrats in the U.S. Senate cleared the first procedural hurdle for sweeping healthcare reform on Saturday by voting to open debate on the historic legislation.

What follows is a roundup of corporate earnings reports for Thursday, Nov. 5.

Target and CVS are the latest retailers giving discount incentives to customers who bring in their own reusable bags instead of using the store's plastic bags.

Major US companies are bracing for a potentially stronger strain of swine flu this year that could threaten the nation's already fragile economic recovery.

Rite Aid Corp. reported a smaller second-quarter loss than a year ago as it cut expenses, but the nation's third-largest drugstore operator lowered its expectations for the fiscal year.

Among the many hurdles facing President Barack Obama's plan to revamp the nation's health care system is a shortage of primary care physicians — those legions of overworked doctors who provide the front line of medical care for both the sick and those hoping to stay healthy.

Drugstore operators are beginning their seasonal flu shot campaigns several weeks early this year, saying they expect greater demand for the vaccine.

Stocks ended flat Tuesday as investors took a breather after Monday's blockbuster rally.

Stocks struggled to stay in positive territory for any length of time Tuesday as profit-taking after Monday's blockbuster rally overshadowed a fifth-straight rise in pending-home sales.

Stocks bounced back from a lower open Tuesday after a surprisingly sharp jump in pending-home sales.

Futures suggested stock would retreat Tuesday after a milestone session on Monday that sent the S&P over 1,000 for the first time since November.

Congress may be closer to passing a health care bill that would potentially reshape the U.S. health care system, following an agreement reached among conservative Democrats on Wednesday.

As walk-in clinics at stores like CVS and Wal-Mart offer convenient alternatives to doctors’ offices and hospital emergency rooms, some hospitals are fighting back - with walk-in clinics at some of those same retailers.