Gas price expected to peak at $3.90 this summer

Michigan’s demand for energy will dip across the board this summer, a state report predicted Tuesday, while a gas analyst said Michigan’s price for fuel might fall lower than Tuesday’s average of $3.73 a gallon.

Compuware cites dynaTrace purchase in profit dip

Detroit-based Compuware Corp. reported Tuesday that its profit fell 9 percent for the 2012 fiscal year ended March 31, even though revenues jumped nearly 9 percent from a year ago to top $1 billion during the 2012 fiscal year.

Regulators probe Morgan Stanley's role in Facebook IPO

Washington— Regulators are examining whether Morgan Stanley, the investment bank that shepherded Facebook through its highly publicized stock offering last week, selectively informed clients of an analyst's negative report about the company before the stock started trading.

April sales up in U.S. for previously occupied homes, slip 2.2% in Detroit

Washington — Americans bought more previously owned homes in April, a hopeful sign that the weak housing market is gradually improving.

Blame for Facebook IPO flop begins

Let the Facebook Inc. finger-pointing begin. After one of the most anticipated initial public offerings in history, Facebook’s 19 percent drop this week prompted investors to fault everything from Morgan Stanley’s role as lead underwriter to the company’s greed and the Nasdaq itself.

Google finishes deal for Motorola

San Francisco — Google has completed its $12.5 billion purchase of device maker Motorola Mobility in a deal that poses new challenges for the Internet’s most powerful company as it tries to shape the future of mobile computing.

Kraft’s snack division name is a mouthful

“MONDEWHAAAAT?” The sarcasm was palpable in the one-word headline that appeared in The New York Post on the day after Kraft Foods revealed that it planned to name its new global snack business “Mondelez,” an interpretation of a mash-up of the Latin words for “world” and “delicious.”

Pink and pasty became ‘pink slime’

The microbiologist who coined the term for lean finely textured beef ran through a few iterations in his head before he decided to send an email about the filler to a co-worker at the U.S. Department of Agriculture a decade ago. Then, the name hit him like heartburn after a juicy burger.

Briefs: Apple is top brand for 2nd year in row

For the second year in a row, Apple is the most valuable brand in the world, according to a study released Tuesday.

U.S. sales of new homes rose 3.3 percent in April

Washington — Americans bought more new homes last month, the latest evidence that the U.S. housing market could be starting to recover.

Bill lets workers with reduced wages, hours receive unemployment benefits

Lansing— Workers who have had their wages and hours reduced will be able to continue working while receiving unemployment benefits under a bill that passed unanimously in the Senate Wednesday morning.

Airlines slap a hefty price on togetherness

If you’re flying this summer, be prepared to kiss your family goodbye at the gate. Even if they’re on the same plane.

Detroit needs political courage to fix services

The question isn’t whether Detroit needs departments for lighting, health services or planning and development. It’s whether a city on the verge of financial collapse and a state takeover should find a better way to deliver those and more to taxpayers who pay the bills.

Detroit independent grocers to upgrade with DEGC loans

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp. on Tuesday awarded loans to three Detroit independent grocers that will be used to upgrade their facilities.

Detroit pedicab business moving into top gear

Michael Rosemond and Terry Walker started Rickshaw Detroit in 2006 after the two met at a city meeting hoping to gain city approval to use pedicabs.

Hollywood Casino in Toledo betting on luring Michigan visitors

Toledo — Officials at Hollywood Casino here said Monday that they hope to lure Metro Detroiters to Toledo with incentives, a smoke-free environment, and the ...

Survey: Metro Detroit health care costs increase 6%

Area employers kept better control of rising health care costs this year compared with 2011, according to a benefits survey released Monday.

Facebook stock takes tumble

After Facebook stock narrowly stayed above the initial public offering price during its first day of trading, the price fell hard and fast Monday, knocking ...

Airlines bump up fares as vacation season begins

Delta Air Lines Inc. and US Airways Group Inc. are among carriers raising fares and reaping domestic bookings for summer travel as a recovering economy spurs ...

Briefs: Metro Detroit hotels reduce vacancy rate

Metro Detroit’s hotels built momentum for the upcoming summer tourism season, posting a nearly 4 percent reduction in vacant rooms through the first four ...

Motel 6 being sold to private Hilton owners for $1.9B

New York— French hotel company Accor SA is checking out of Motel 6, and a prominent U.S. investment firm is moving in.

Senate panel approves airline security fee hike

Washington— A Democratic-controlled Senate panel Tuesday approved a $2.50 increase in airline security fees that would double the per-passenger fee for ...

Kalamazoo, Holland employers honored by Pentagon

Kalamazoo— The Pentagon says Kalamazoo's public safety department and a Holland company are finalists for an award recognizing employer support for ...

Google Chrome becomes most used Web browser

Los Angeles— Google Chrome surpassed Internet Explorer last week as the world's most used Web browser, according to a statistic released Monday.

Michigan fruit industry reels from cold-related crop loss

The loss of 80% of its tart cherry crop is rippling through Michigan’s food processing industry, shrinking supplies, raising prices and causing some fruit ...

Facebook Like Machine lets shoppers ‘like’ eateries, stores

Ever wonder whether you could have gotten a Facebook deal for your favorite dining spot if you had “liked” the restaurant before you left home? Now, ...

Ring around the hubby: Keeping score on the things we buy

A big source of marital strife is arguing over money which, if you think about it, is silly. So she gets her nails done or he buys $20 microbrews? When true ...

Verizon, AT&T prepare to sell shared data plans

Portland, Ore. — Verizon Wireless and AT&T are each preparing to roll out shared-data pricing plans this year. Whoever makes the first move will ...