What's In The News: February 16, 2012

This is what's in the news for Tuesday February 16, 2012. The Wall Street Journal reports oil pri...  More »

This is what's in the news for Tuesday February 16, 2012. The Wall Street Journal reports oil prices are rising again, threatening the U.S. economic recovery just as it appears to be gaining traction, as tensions increase with Iran which could disrupt supplies worldwide. The Wall Street Journal also reports two months after AT&T's (NYSE:T) $39B offer to buy T-Mobile USA collapsed, AT&T is looking at new deals that could increase its access to the airwaves, including potential transactions with Leap Wireless International (NASDAQ:LEAP), Dish Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH) or MetroPCS Communications (NYSE:PCS). Reuters reports Wal-Mart Stores' (NYSE:WMT) turnaround appears to be working by using simple strategies like undercutting competitors by a penny on a gallon of milk, helping to restore its image as the go-to retailer for budget-conscious Americans. The company reports fiscal Q4 results on February 21, and analysts on average expect to see the company's best U.S. sales performance in over two years. Finally, Bloomberg reports Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) CEO Marc Casper said the laboratory instrument maker will use cash this year to pay down its $7B in debt and continue to seek bolt-on acquisitions.  « Less