McDonald's continues to give its stockholders reason to squeal. The Oak Brook-based company saw its profits for the third quarter increase by 10 percent, exceeding expectations and outpacing the company's performance for the same time frame last year. more ›

From the inbox: In a move that doesn't involve nudity or browbeating, PETA has purchased stock in Kraft Foods as part of a plan to pressure Kraft into not using pork for its foodstuffs supplied by farms that utilize gestation crates. Gestation crates (or "sow stalls") are 7-foot by 2-foot cages where pregnant sows are confined during gestation. A recent Humane Society of the United States report on welfare issues gestation crates showed that sows confined to the crates developed enlarged hooves, weakened bones, urinary tract infections and lameness, among other ailments. PETA made the stock purchase Kraft did not respond to requests to work together privately on this and other animal welfare issues. more ›

Crain's reports that Fitch Ratings cut the issuer default rating on Tribune Co. stock from "B-" to "CCC," saying that default "is a real possibility." [Crain's] more ›