LONDON, March 2 (Reuters) – World stocks fell while the safe-haven Swiss franc and government bonds rose on Wednesday as concerns grew that a rise in oil prices due to unrest in the Middle East would weigh on the global economic recovery. Saudi Arabia’s stock markets hit a 22-month low, declining for a 13th session [...]

MADRID (MarketWatch) — German sportswear maker Adidas AG /quotes/comstock/11e!fads (DE:ADS 47.35, +0.60, +1.28%) on Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter net profit of €7 million ($9.6 million), a 64% fall against profit of €19 million in the year-ago period as operating expenses rose. Net sales for the group rose 19% to €2.93 billion, against year-ago sales of [...]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kraft Foods Inc., like many of its peers, is feeling some pricing pressure. The company reported Thursday that price increases it made to cope with higher ingredient costs are not going to be enough to sustain its profitability and it plans further hikes this year. As one of the world’s largest [...]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is poised to release long-awaited proposals for reducing government support of the mortgage market, but Congress will choose the path for reforming financially teetering housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Treasury Department is scheduled to release a report Friday that lays out three choices for winding [...]

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. (AP) — The battle for shoppers is playing out in this New York suburb: Wal-Mart versus everyone else. Dollar stores beckon, their small size ideal for quick shopping. Target offers 5 percent off if you pay with its store-branded card. Costco tempts with high-end, brand-name food and designer clothes at competitive prices. [...]