UPS Inc., the world's largest shipping carrier, is hiking 2010 rates for ground packages by an average of 4.9 percent.

A wealthy Bonney Lake, Wash., pilot who used money, alcohol and manipulation to molest more than a dozen boys has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

UPS Inc., the world's largest shipping carrier, expects to deliver roughly 22 million small packages on its busiest day this year — projected to be Dec. 21.

The Dow rose for a sixth straight session Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Fed comments and strong Chinese economic data. Financial, material and IT stocks were the biggest gainers.

Stocks opened higher Wednesday as the dollar fell to its lowest level in 15 months and economic data out of China was strong.

United Parcel Service, the world's largest package delivery service, expects growth in its volumes next year as the global economy gradually recovers, its chief said on Wednesday.

Stock index futures pointed to another higher open on Wall Street Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Federal Reserve officials reinforced the view that rates will remain low for some time.

FedEx is predicting a little more holiday cheer this year.

Stocks advanced Thursday as investors seemed to focus more on some big-name earnings beats and a rise in leading indicators instead of a disappointing jobless report. Travelers and MMM led the Dow.

Stocks advanced Thursday as investors seemed to focus more on some big-name earnings beats and a rise in leading indicators instead of a disappointing jobless report.

Stocks slipped Thursday as investors weighed a disappointing jobless-claims report and some encouraging earnings reports.

Earnings continue to come in largely above expectations, but other factors are waylaying the stock market's recent advances - ranging from Walmart's price cuts to analyst Richard Bove's downgrade of Wells Fargo to rising oil prices. 

After spending much of the year as a market laggard, industrial stocks have rebounded over the past three months and are considered a good bet to keep moving higher.

Stocks snapped a five-day winning streak Friday as a sharp drop in oil prices and profit-taking offset an improvement in consumer confidence and a rosier outlook from economic bellwether FedEx. Still, for the week, stocks gained 1.7 percent.

FedEx Corp., the world's second largest package delivery company, raised its first-quarter earnings forecast, citing better-than-expected international shipments and cost-cutting.