The sales reports issued Thursday were better than expected, but still pointed to a consumer contending with rising gas prices, sagging home values and worries about jobs. 

Sprint Nextel Corp. has finally rounded up the financial backing it needs to build a faster wireless network. But for consumers and the electronics industry, speed may be the least important thing about the new network.

Oil futures extended their seemingly relentless advance Wednesday, rising to a new record near $124 a barrel as investors captivated by the market’s upward momentum looked past the government’s report of an increase in crude and gasoline supplies. At the pump, gas prices rose for the first time since last week.

A new incentive program by Chrysler LLC will allow customers to lock in the price of gasoline at $2.99 a gallon for three years when purchasing most of the automaker’s new vehicles

R.J. Reynolds’ new Camel Crush includes a menthol capsule, but smoking foes say it lures children

Tailor your own playlist of music on Pandora

The changes come as record oil prices and surging global demand for staples like rice, fish, poultry and wheat have pushed wholesale food prices up almost 8 percent in the last year

The mystery shoppers association already knows about the scam. It has issued a consumer alert saying to watch out if you’re asked to wire money back to a specific address, usually outside the country. 

A new Goldman Sachs prediction that oil prices could rise to $150 to $200 within two years seemed to motivate much of Tuesday’s buying, although a falling dollar and increasing concerns about declining crude production in Mexico and Russia contributed, analysts say.

Hydrox Labs has issued a voluntary recall of Cardinal Health labeled alcohol-free mouthwash. The CDC has confirmed hospital illnesses in one state associated with the use of the affected mouthwash.