AP - Stocks rose moderately Wednesday as another decline in oil prices and several upbeat profit reports eased some of Wall Street's concerns about the economy.

AP - With the cost of everything from air conditioning to whipped cream rising, many restaurants have been raising prices. LongHorn Steakhouse is passing on part of the tab to its servers.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday as financial shares climbed on hopes lawmakers will approve the rescue plan for mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the price of oil fell.

Reuters - The pace of U.S. economic activity slowed somewhat through mid-July and price pressures were elevated or increasing across the country, the U.S. Federal Reserve said on Wednesday in a report showing evidence of inflation warning signs across the country.

Reuters - The Dow ticked lower and the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq cut gains after the Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book on Wednesday that the pace of economic activity slowed somewhat through mid-July.

AP - Record crude prices helped oil giant ConocoPhillips' second-quarter profit climb 13 percent from adjusted results a year ago, beginning what is expected to be a string of robust earnings announcements from major oil companies.