A proposed Monsanto Co. phosphate mine slated to produce ingredients for Roundup weedkiller generated nearly 7,000 public comments, including from a former U.S. Interior secretary who urges its approval and the Environmental Protection Agency, which wants additional pollution safeguards.

Monsanto Co. is installing a water management system at an Idaho phosphate mine the company depends on to make its Roundup weedkiller to stop the leakage of selenium and heavy metals into a tributary of the Blackfoot River.

Monsanto, the world's biggest seed maker, says its fourth-quarter loss widened to $233 million in the fourth quarter on a decrease in sales.

A private research group's forecast of economic activity rose in August for the fifth straight month, the latest sign the recession has neared an end.

Stocks edged up Thursday, with a brighter outlook from Procter & Gamble and a better-than-expected jobless claims report, countering a dim forecast from Monsanto.

Stocks edged up Thursday, with a brighter outlook from Procter & Gamble and a better-than-expected jobless claims report, countering a dim forecast from Monsanto.

Monsanto Co., the world's biggest seed maker, plans to make deeper work force cuts than previously announced, saying it will reduce its staff by about 8 percent to cut costs.

The Dow fell for a fourth straight day Wednesday after the Fed said it expected to keep interest rates exceptionally low for an extended period.

Stocks bounded higher Wednesday, with the Dow up about 1 percent, as investors cheered the better-than-expected jump in durable-goods orders and shrugged off a weak new-home-sales report.

Futures jumped Wednesday after a better-than-expected rise in durable-goods orders.