NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes turned modestly higher in early afternoon trading as solid earnings from Walmart encouraged investors to bid up other retailers and consumer goods. Homebuilders also posted gains following an industry survey showing improved confidence heading into the key spring homebuying season. Investors are also keeping a close eye on talks between U.S. and Chinese negotiators in Washington that are aimed at ending a trade war between the world's largest economies.
BEIJING (AP) — China's economy czar will be in Washington for talks Thursday and Friday aimed at ending a tariff war over Beijing's technology ambitions. The announcement by the official Xinhua News Agency follows talks in Beijing last week. A U.S. envoy said the two sides "made headway" on key issues. Negotiators face a March 2 deadline when additional American tariff hikes are planned.
LONDON (AP) —Twitter announced that it is tightening up rules for European Union political ads ahead of upcoming elections this spring. The social media company said it is extending restrictions already in place for federal elections in the United States. Under the new rules political advertisers will need to be certified.
NEW YORK (AP) — Payless ShoeSource has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is shuttering its remaining stores in North America. The filing on Monday occurred a day after it began holding going-out-of-business sales at its North American stores. The shoe chain, based in Topeka, Kansas, updated the number it plans to shutter to 2,500 stores, up from 2,100 on Friday when it confirmed it was planning to liquidate its business. It reiterated that stores will remain open until at least the end of March and the majority will remain open until May.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a measure gradually hiking the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, the highest in the Midwest. It was one of the new Democratic governor's top campaign promises. He signed the six-year plan today at the Governor's Mansion. Illinois is on track to be the first state in the Midwest to push its base wage to $15.
