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NEW YORK (AP) — Stock indexes have pulled back modestly as investors wait to hear from the Federal Reserve, which is beginning a two-day policy meeting on interest rates. Another drop in the price of oil pulled energy stocks to some of the biggest losses in the market. Stocks of smaller companies also took big hits.
UNDATED (AP) — A new analysis of government data by the Consumer Federation of America says the number of Americans in default on their student loans jumped by nearly a fifth last year. At the end of 2016 there were 4.2 million Federal Direct Loan borrowers in default, meaning they've not made a payment in more than 270 days. That's up 17 percent from 3.6 million at the end of 2015. And, according to the U.S. Department of Education, 42.4 million Americans owed $1.3 trillion in federal student loans.
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A California judge's final ruling requires chemical giant Monsanto to label its popular weed-killer Roundup with warnings that it could cause cancer. Superior Court Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan in January tentatively dismissed a challenge by Monsanto and a citrus growers group. In her final ruling last week, the Fresno Bee says the judge said that none of Monsanto's objections were viable.
NEW YORK (AP) — Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus says it's exploring strategic alternatives including a sale of the company. The announcement comes as the retailer, which also operates Bergdorf Goodman, reported a loss in its second fiscal quarter that ended Jan. 28 and its sixth consecutive quarterly drop for a key revenue measure.
LONDON (AP) — A British lawmaker says diplomats should boost the U.K. economy after Brexit by ditching champagne, cava and prosecco in favor of British bubbly at embassy receptions. Conservative legislator Nusrat Ghani is trying to pass a law requiring U.K. diplomatic missions to serve British wines and sparkling wines. She says that as the country leaves the European Union, it must "be imaginative in supporting and promoting" British businesses.
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