The city’s bond rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings to AA, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said Wednesday, June 20.

2. Fitch Upgrades City Bond Rating to AA - Friday, June 22, 2018

The city’s bond rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings to AA, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said Wednesday, June 20.

3. City Bond Rating Boosted to AA - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

The city’s bond rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings to AA, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said Wednesday, June 20.

4. Poag Names New Chief Strategy Officer - Saturday, April 28, 2018

Poag Shopping Centers has promoted Brian Smith to chief strategy officer and executive vice president of leasing for the Memphis-based commercial real estate company, which specializes in the leasing, development and management of open-air retail complexes across the United States.

5. Poag Names New Chief Strategy Officer - Friday, April 27, 2018

Poag Shopping Centers has promoted Brian Smith to chief strategy officer and executive vice president of leasing for the Memphis-based commercial real estate company, which specializes in the leasing, development and management of open-air retail complexes across the United States.

6. Amazon Lets Teens Shop on Their Own – With Parents’ Permission - Thursday, October 12, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Remember when your parents first let you shop at the mall by yourself? Amazon is trying to replicate that feeling for the digital generation.

The online retail giant said Wednesday that teens can now shop at Amazon on their own, if their parents let them. Adults can add up to four teenagers to their account, giving youngsters their own login information to buy stuff through the Amazon app. Parents can set spending limits, cancel orders and get notifications when something is bought.

7. Fitch Affirms ‘A’ Rating On Airport Revenue Bonds - Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority’s ‘A’ rating on the authority’s outstanding $282 million general airport revenue bonds. The airport authority’s outlook remained stable.

8. Mississippi Seeks Estimated $155M in Abandoned Savings Bonds - Tuesday, June 27, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi officials are trying to force the U.S. Treasury to hand over an estimated $155 million in proceeds from abandoned savings bonds.

State Treasurer Lynn Fitch sued the federal government last year seeking the payment, joining Kansas and other states with similar lawsuits. Nationwide, $20 billion in savings bonds are unredeemed.

9. Credit Rater Warns on Mississippi, Citing Economy and Taxes - Wednesday, May 3, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Another credit rating agency is warning that the financial outlook for Mississippi government finances is weakening.

Standard & Poor's Financial Services on Tuesday downgraded its outlook for state government credit rating to negative from stable.

10. Bebe Expects to Close All its Stores by the End of May - Monday, April 24, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Clothing chain Bebe says it expects to close all its stores by the end of May, making it the latest retail casualty of the migration to online shopping.

The Brisbane, California-based chain had said earlier this month it would close 21 stores and "explore options" for the remaining locations. In a regulatory filing, it said it expects to recognize an impairment charge of about $20 million as a result of the closing of all its stores. The chain had recently said it had more than 130 retail stores and more than 30 outlet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It also offers branded products elsewhere and operates bebe.com.

11. Declining Sales Call for Brand Reboot - Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Editor’s note: Part one of a two-part series. Once market share dwindles and revenue targets are missed year after year (despite category growth), it may be time to reboot a once-beloved brand.

12. Abercrombie Closing Up to 60 Stores After Posting Wider Loss - Wednesday, August 31, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) – Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reported a wider loss for its second quarter on Tuesday and said it's closing up to 60 stores in the United States as both U.S. and international sales fell.

13. Fitch Affirms ‘A’ Rating on Memphis Airport Bonds - Monday, August 22, 2016

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority’s financial strength in giving the entity an “A” rating on its outstanding $282 million general airport revenue bonds.

14. Rating Agencies, State Comptroller Tout Improved City of Memphis Finances - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The most outspoken critic of the city’s financial condition said Monday, July 25, that Memphis leaders have made a “remarkable achievement.”

“Just three years ago there was a serious question about whether the City Council would take the necessary steps to control its budget and determine Memphis’ future,” Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson wrote Monday to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis City Council chairman Kemp Conrad. “If you continue on this path, Memphis will reclaim its rightful place among the truly vibrant cities of the world.”

15. Moody's: Mississippi Has Negative Credit Outlook - Wednesday, July 13, 2016

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A financial agency says Mississippi has a negative credit outlook because the state dipped into its rainy day fund to cover budget shortfalls.

Moody's Investors Service says officials' withdrawal of $108 million from reserves "further weakens the state's financial position."

16. Aeropostale, One-Time Mall King, Seeks Bankruptcy Protection - Thursday, May 5, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) – Aeropostale, once the vibrant epicenter of the U.S. mall scene, is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closing 20 percent of its stores in North America.

The New York company said Wednesday that it is closing 113 of its 739 U.S. stores and all 41 locations in Canada. Going-out-of-business sales at those U.S. stores will begin this weekend.

17. Fitch Rates County 2016 Refunding Bonds at AA - Saturday, January 30, 2016

Fitch Ratings, one of the big three bond rating agencies, has given $73.8 million of general obligation refunding bonds by Shelby County government a AA+ rating.

The 2016 series is expected to sell Feb. 3 in a negotiated sale.

18. Fitch Rates County 2016 Refunding Bonds at AA - Friday, January 29, 2016

Fitch Ratings, one of the big three bond rating agencies, has given $73.8 million of general obligation refunding bonds by Shelby County government a AA+ rating.

The 2016 series is expected to sell Feb. 3 in a negotiated sale.

19. Fitch Affirms AA Rating On MLGW Bonds - Saturday, November 28, 2015

The New York bond rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed its AA+ rating of $460.2 million in electric utility revenue bonds issued by the city of Memphis for Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division.

20. Fitch Affirms AA+ Rating on MLGW Bonds - Thursday, November 26, 2015

The New York bond rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed its AA+ rating of $460.2 million in electric utility revenue bonds issued by the city of Memphis for Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division.

21. Ratings Agencies Give Strong Marks to Tennessee - Monday, October 26, 2015

Tennessee has once again received top grades from two bond ratings agencies, and an improved outlook from the third.

Moody’s and Fitch gave the state their top rating of AAA with a stable outlook. Standard and Poor’s rated the state at AA-plus with a positive outlook — up from the stable rating last year.

22. Top Beer Makers to Join Forces to Face Industry Challenges - Wednesday, October 14, 2015

BRUSSELS (AP) — The world's biggest beer maker clinched a deal Tuesday to take over its nearest rival in a bid to stave off the megabrewers' most serious problems: the surge in popularity of craft brews and weakening sales in the rich markets of the U.S. and Europe.

23. Justices Boost Workplace Religious Protections - Tuesday, June 2, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court strengthened civil rights protections Monday for employees and job applicants who need special treatment in the workplace because of their religious beliefs.

24. Holding On - Saturday, March 14, 2015

The national outlook for traditional enclosed malls is bleak. No new enclosed mall has been built in the U.S. since 2006. More than 24 have closed since 2010, and an additional 60 are teetering on the edge, according to data from Green Street Advisors. Around 15 percent of malls nationwide are expected to close in the next decade.

25. Southaven Plans to Become Regional Shopping Destination - Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Local officials are expecting the outlet mall under construction by Tanger and Poag Shopping Centers to make Southaven a regional business destination.

“We are 250 miles from six states and we will probably draw from all of them,” Carmen Kyle, executive director of the Southaven Chamber of Commerce, told The Commercial Appeal. “This isn’t your local mall.”

26. Sprouts Opening Lakeland Store May 13 - Friday, February 20, 2015

Sprouts Farmers Market, a fast-growing specialty grocery chain, has set an opening date for its first Memphis-area store.

Phoenix-based Sprouts, which replicate the look and feel of an indoor farmers market and specialize in fresh, organic and healthy food, will open a 28,000-square-foot store in a former Kroger at 9050 U.S. 64 in Lakeland on May 13.

27. S&P Paying $1.38 Billion to Settle Charges Over Crisis-Era Ratings - Wednesday, February 4, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) – Standard & Poor's is paying about $1.38 billion to settle government allegations that it knowingly inflated its ratings of risky mortgage investments that helped trigger the financial crisis, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

28. Caesars Entertainment to Buy Affiliate - Tuesday, December 23, 2014

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Caesars Entertainment Corporation says it will buy an affiliate as it tries to smooth the reorganization of a struggling division and balance its debt load.

29. Teen Retailers Get the Cold Shoulder for Holidays - Friday, December 12, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) – Being a teen can be tough, but catering to one is even more difficult.

Teen retailers are learning that lesson the hard way this holiday season.

The longtime CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch on Tuesday abruptly retired just a week after the retailer posted an 11.5 percent quarterly sales drop and slashed its annual profit forecast. And American Eagle and Aeropostale gave dismal forecasts for the quarter that includes the holiday shopping season after each posted weak sales for the fall.

30. These Retailers Could Use Some Holiday Cheer - Friday, December 5, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) – The holiday shopping season is always a make-or-break period for struggling retailers.

But this year, the fight to grab shoppers has intensified, making it difficult for stores to use the season that accounts for about 20 percent of the retail industry's annual sales to bounce back.

31. Haslam Tells Tennessee Agencies to Plan for Cuts - Wednesday, October 1, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is calling on all state agencies to plan for up to 7 percent spending cuts in the upcoming budget year.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports the move comes following a spending year in which revenues fell more than $300 million short of projections, leading the governor to cancel planned raises for state workers and teachers.

32. Sprouts Confirms Lakeland, Germantown Stores in 2015 - Saturday, September 20, 2014

Sprouts Farmers Market, a fast-growing specialty grocery chain, has confirmed it will open two Memphis-area stores in 2015, one in Germantown and another in Lakeland.

Sprouts will turn the 30,000-square-foot former Schnucks location at The Shops of Forest Hill at Poplar Avenue and Forest Hill-Irene Road in Germantown into one of its stores, which replicate the look and feel of an indoor farmers market and specialize in fresh, organic and healthy food.

33. Sprouts Applies for Building Permit - Saturday, September 20, 2014

Sprouts Farmers Market has applied for a building permit to turn the old Kroger store in Lakeland into one of its upscale grocery stores.

Sprout applied for a $650,000 building permit to renovate the former Kroger at 9050 U.S. 64 in Lakeland. The building permit application lists AAD Fitch Inc. as the architect on the project.

34. Sprouts Farmers Market Applies for Building Permit - Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Sprouts Farmers Market has applied for a building permit to turn the old Kroger store in Lakeland into one of its upscale grocery stores.

Sprout applied for a $650,000 building permit to renovate the former Kroger at 9050 U.S. 64 in Lakeland. The building permit application lists AAD Fitch Inc. as the architect on the project.

35. SEC Adopts Rules on Loan-Backed Securities - Thursday, August 28, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) – Financial firms that sell securities backed by loans, like the kind that fueled the 2008 financial crisis, will have to give investors details on borrowers' credit record and income under action taken Wednesday by federal regulators.

36. Airlines Report Big Second-Quarter Profits - Friday, July 25, 2014

Investing in airlines has long been the butt of jokes, especially when many U.S. carriers traipsed through bankruptcy court in the past decade.

Now riding a post-merger tide of higher fares and stable fuel costs, those same airlines are piling up profits – and sharing the newfound riches with investors.

37. Economic Experts Offer Analysis, Forecast - Monday, May 19, 2014

A report from Fitch Ratings May 14 declared that going forward the U.S. economy will have to grow without the help it has enjoyed in recent years from things such as low interest rates and government spending.

38. Mississippi College Savings Plan to Reopen Enrollment - Tuesday, March 25, 2014

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A board has voted unanimously to re-open enrollment this fall in the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition program.

The state-backed savings plan had been closed to new enrollees since the fall of 2012 because of concerns about a funding shortfall.

39. Fitch Takes US Off Negative Ratings Watch - Monday, March 24, 2014

A credit rating firm has concluded a review of the United States’ credit rating and reiterated that it deserves the highest rating.

Fitch Ratings had started a review of the U.S. debt rating in October and warned it might downgrade the nation’s rating.

40. Agency Warns Mississippi About Bond Rating - Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Fitch credit rating agency has downgraded Mississippi’s bond rating outlook from stable to negative.

The state’s bond rating remains AA+, only one notch below the highest AAA level, but the agency warns the rating could be lowered unless officials take steps to shore up finances. A lower bond rating would make it more expensive for state government to borrow money.

41. Agency Warns Mississippi About Bond Rating - Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Fitch credit rating agency has downgraded Mississippi’s bond rating outlook from stable to negative.

The state’s bond rating remains AA+, only one notch below the highest AAA level, but the agency warns the rating could be lowered unless officials take steps to shore up finances. A lower bond rating would make it more expensive for state government to borrow money.

42. Haslam Meets With Bond Rating Agencies - Saturday, October 19, 2013

Gov. Bill Haslam is making his annual case for Tennessee to keep its strong bond rating.

The Republican governor traveled to New York on Wednesday to meet with the three main bond rating agencies, Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Inc.

43. Shutdown Over, Obama Surveys Damage and Blames GOP - Friday, October 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The government unlocked its doors Thursday after 16 days, with President Barack Obama saluting the resolution of Congress' bitter standoff but lambasting Republicans for the partial shutdown that he said had damaged the U.S. economy and America's credibility around the world.

44. Haslam Meets With Bond Rating Agencies - Friday, October 18, 2013

Gov. Bill Haslam is making his annual case for Tennessee to keep its strong bond rating.

The Republican governor traveled to New York on Wednesday to meet with the three main bond rating agencies, Standard and Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Inc.

45. A Deal: Voting to Avoid Default, Open Government - Thursday, October 17, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Up against one last deadline, Congress raced to pass legislation Wednesday avoiding a threatened national default and ending a 16-day partial government shutdown along the strict terms set by President Barack Obama when the twin crises began.

46. In-Rel Could Face Default on Clark Tower - Saturday, September 7, 2013

In-Rel Properties Inc. could face “imminent default” on a $60.8 million loan secured by Clark Tower, a 33-story office building at 5100 Popular Ave., according to a Fitch Ratings report released Sept. 5.

47. Study Shows Tennessee's Debt Ratio Lowest in Nation - Thursday, July 25, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A recent study shows Tennessee's debt ratio is the lowest in the nation.

The state comptroller's office said in a release this week that the study was conducted by New York-based Fitch Ratings, one of the country's top bond rating agencies.

48. Fitch Upholds 'A' Rating on Memphis International - Saturday, June 29, 2013

Fitch Ratings upheld its A rating on Memphis International Airport bonds following Delta Air Lines’ announcement that it will end connecting activity at the airport Sept. 3.

Earlier this month, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the rating on the airport’s outstanding revenue bonds to A3, from A2, and revised its investor outlook to stable, from negative.

49. Fitch Upholds a Rating on Memphis International Airport - Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Fitch Ratings upheld its A rating on Memphis International Airport bonds following Delta Air Lines’ announcement that it will end connecting activity at the airport Sept. 3.

Earlier this month, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the rating on the airport’s outstanding revenue bonds to A3, from A2, and revised its investor outlook to stable, from negative.

50. Cox: Airport Could See More Competition - Friday, June 21, 2013

Airports that once served as major hubs won’t likely regain their previous level of flight service, and if they do, it could take decades, Larry Cox, president and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority told members of the board and airport officials.

51. US Sues Standard & Poor's Over Pre-Crisis Mortgage Ratings - Wednesday, February 6, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. government says Standard & Poor's knowingly inflated its ratings on risky mortgage investments that helped trigger the 2008 financial crisis.

The credit rating agency gave high marks to mortgage-backed securities because it wanted to earn more business from the banks that issued the investments, the Justice Department alleges in charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles .

52. Mississippi Economy Growing Slowly, Lawmakers are Told - Friday, January 18, 2013

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi's economy is growing gradually but still lags behind the pace of the U.S. economy overall, an expert told state lawmakers Thursday.

State economist Darrin Webb said during a briefing at the Capitol that the state and nation have a "boring kind of economy" right now, with slow job growth and shaky consumer confidence.

53. Fitch Ratings Downgrades First Horizon National Corp. - Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Fitch Ratings has made a downward revision to a rating assigned to the largest bank based in Tennessee.

Fitch downgraded the long-term Issuer Default Ratings of Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp. and its banking subsidiary First Tennessee Bank N.A. to “BBB-” from “BBB.” However, Fitch also assigned a “stable rating outlook” to the ratings.

54. Foreign Holdings of US Debt Hit Record $5.48 Trillion - Tuesday, December 18, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Foreign ownership of U.S. Treasury securities rose to a record level in October, a sign that overseas investors remain confident in U.S. debt despite a potential budget crisis.

55. Haslam Optimistic About State's Credit Rating - Wednesday, October 24, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam said meetings with three credit agencies this week went well and he is optimistic about the outcomes.

Tennessee currently has triple-A credit ratings from Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Inc. and a double-A-plus rating from Standard and Poor's.

56. Mississippi Eyes Overhaul of Prepaid Tuition Program - Thursday, September 20, 2012

State Treasurer Lynn Fitch has told lawmakers that she suspended the state’s prepaid college tuition program because it is struggling financially and an audit will show whether it needs to be overhauled or scrapped.

57. Moody’s Set to Downgrade US - Wednesday, September 12, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – The U.S. government’s debt rating could be heading for the “fiscal cliff” along with the federal budget.

Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday said it would likely cut its “Aaa” rating on U.S. government debt, probably by one notch, if budget negotiations fail.

58. MAA Completes $175M Senior Unsecured Notes Offering - Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Memphis-based MAA and its operating partnership, Mid-America Apartments LP., have completed an issuance of $175 million of Senior Unsecured Notes.

59. TVA Prices 10-Year Bonds at Record Interest Rate - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The Tennessee Valley Authority is offering $1 billion in 10-year global power bonds bearing an interest rate of 1.875, the lowest interest rate ever on a TVA long-term bond.

TVA said in a statement Tuesday, Aug. 7, that the public utility issued the 10-year bond with a yield of 1.97 percent on Monday to use to pay down short-term debt. Fitch Ratings assigned a AAA rating to the bonds on Monday.

60. Clearances, Heat Lured Shoppers to Spend in July - Friday, August 3, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans shoppers proved resilient in July, driving a key sales figure up at retailers across the country, despite persistent worry about jobs and the global economy.

Results came in better than expected for many retailers, helped by hot weather and summer clearance sales, an encouraging sign as the back-to-school season, the second-biggest shopping season behind the holidays, kicks off.

61. First Horizon Reports Q2 Loss - Monday, July 23, 2012

The Memphis-based parent company of First Tennessee Bank swung as expected to a second-quarter loss Friday, July 20, over mortgage buyback demand from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

62. More US Homes Facing Foreclosure Risk in June - Friday, July 13, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Banks are increasingly placing homes with unpaid mortgages on a countdown that could deliver a swell of new foreclosed properties onto the market by early next year, potentially weighing further on home values.

63. First Horizon Likely to Post Negative Q2 - Monday, July 9, 2012

The Memphis-based parent company of First Tennessee Bank is likely to break a string of profitable quarters when the company makes its second-quarter earnings presentation in a few weeks.

64. AIRfair? - Monday, June 11, 2012

Two frequent-flyer businessmen booked side-by-side seats on Delta Air Lines flights from Minneapolis to St. Louis last month, with one of them getting charged a higher price than the other each time they tried booking it.

65. Fitch Ratings Downgrades Memphis Airport Bonds - Monday, May 21, 2012

The credit rating agency Fitch Ratings reacted Friday, May 18, to decreasing passenger flights and passenger counts at Memphis International Airport by downgrading airport bonds from an A+ rating to an A and revising its rating outlook from negative to stable.

66. Morgan Keegan Deal Coming Into Focus - Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The $930 million deal reached earlier this month in which Raymond James Financial Inc. is buying Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. isn’t scheduled to close for several more weeks. Regulatory approvals are needed, plus there’s a lot of work ahead to integrate the two investment firms.

67. Fitch May Lower Fannie, Freddie Debt Outlook - Wednesday, November 30, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – The Fitch ratings agency will likely lower its outlook for debts linked to the U.S. government to negative, including debt of government-controlled mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

68. Fed Announces Third Round of Bank Stress Tests - Thursday, November 24, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve announced on Tuesday that it will conduct a third round of stress tests to determine if major U.S. banks can withstand a downturn in the economy.

The latest round of tests comes at a time when many are concerned about U.S. banks' exposure to the European debt crisis, which could throw that region into a recession and rattle global financial markets.

69. Express Scripts Notes Receive Investment Grades - Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Inc. received investment-grade ratings from three firms on up to $10 billion in senior notes it plans to issue to help pay for its $29.1 billion acquisition of Medco Health Solutions Inc.

70. Tenn. to Sell Estimated $584 Million in Bonds - Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state of Tennessee plans to sell an estimated $584 million worth of bonds this week, the largest sale in the state's history.

The sale Tuesday through Thursday will use some of the proceeds to pay for new capital projects and infrastructure. These include economic development grants for Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Wacker Chemie in Bradley County, Hemlock Semiconductor in Clarksville and Electrolux in Memphis.

71. Retailers Report Solid Gains for September - Friday, October 7, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – September offered the latest sign that Americans will shop, but only when they think they're getting a deal.

The International Council of Shopping Centers said Thursday that revenue rose 5.5 percent in September, with several retailers including Target, Limited Brands and Kohl's posting strong gains as consumers snagged discounted merchandise.

72. Haslam Cites Fiscal Strength in Tenn. Debt Ratings - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Rating agencies have decided not to downgrade Tennessee's debt after the state submitted a game plan for how each agency would respond to deep federal spending cuts.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam on Tuesday cited a "proven history of fiscal responsibility" in announcing that Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have reissued their top ratings to Tennessee and that the state will remain one notch below Standard and Poor's best grade.

73. US Report Cites Flaws at Credit Rating Agencies - Monday, October 3, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. securities regulators say their first annual review of the nation's credit rating agencies finds the rating companies aren't doing enough to protect their own financial integrity.

74. Fitch Affirms Debt Ratings for FedEx - Monday, September 26, 2011

CHICAGO (AP) – Fitch Ratings on Friday affirmed the debt ratings for FedEx Corp. and its Federal Express Corp. unit, a day after the package delivery company reported better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results.

75. First Horizon, Fitch Say Risk Manageable - Monday, September 19, 2011

Bryan Jordan, the president and CEO of First Tennessee Bank’s parent company, told his audience at an industry conference a few days ago in New York City that his company has been out of the mortgage business for three years now.

76. Tennessee Officials Meet With Ratings Agencies in NYC - Friday, September 16, 2011

A group of Tennessee officials including Gov. Bill Haslam, finance commissioner Mark Emkes, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and others have wrapped up two days of meetings with the three major credit rating agencies in New York City.

77. S&P Chief Resigns; Hedge Fund Seeks Parent Split - Wednesday, August 24, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Standard & Poor's wild month continues.

The president of S&P is stepping down just two weeks after the rating agency stripped the United States of its AAA credit rating. At the same time, an activist hedge fund is calling for S&P's parent to break into four separate companies to unlock more value for shareholders.

78. Fitch Ratings Keeps US at Top Credit Rating - Wednesday, August 17, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Fitch Ratings said Tuesday it will keep its rating on U.S. debt at the highest grade, AAA, and issued a "stable" outlook, meaning it expects the rating to stay there.

That's better than the other two main ratings agencies: Moody's lists the U.S. debt at AAA but says its outlook is negative. And Standard & Poor's set off a maelstrom in the stock market last week after it took its rating on the U.S. down to the second-highest grade, AA-plus, for the first time.

79. TN Finance Chief Says Budget Surplus to be Reserve - Tuesday, August 16, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes says Tennessee should hold on to a $28 million general fund surplus as a reserve against a potential downturn in state tax collections.

80. S&P's Beers: No 2nd Thoughts on US Downgrade - Tuesday, August 9, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – A managing director at Standard & Poor's said Monday that he has absolutely no second thoughts about the credit ratings agency's decision to cut the U.S. debt rating.

81. US Debt Downgrade Could Mean Rate Hikes for All - Tuesday, August 9, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Lawmakers weren't able to prevent the country from losing its coveted AAA debt rating.

Although the downgrade late Friday by Standard & Poor's was historic, it wasn't entirely unexpected. The three main credit agencies, which also include Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, had warned during the fight over the debt ceiling that if Congress did not cut spending far enough, the country faced a downgrade.

82. New World Follows US Debt Downgrade - Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Here we go again. Markets opened Monday, Aug. 8, with the world irreversibly changed, thanks to last week’s downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard & Poor’s from AAA to AA+. It follows last week’s wild ride for the stock market, which included stomach-churning swings for investors up through Friday, the day S&P issued the press release heard round the world after markets closed.

83. Moody's Backs US Triple-A Rating; Outlook Negative - Friday, August 5, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Moody's Investors Service said Tuesday that the United States will retain its triple-A bond rating following passage of legislation to boost the debt ceiling. But the agency put a "negative" outlook on the rating, raising the specter of a future downgrade.

84. Fitch: US Debt Deal Alone Won't Sustain AAA Rating - Wednesday, August 3, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – The U.S. may have avoided a possible debt default by passing a bill to raise the country's borrowing limit. But it might not enough to maintain its coveted AAA debt rating, according to Fitch Ratings.

85. MAA Completes Offering of Senior Unsecured Notes - Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Memphis-based MAA and its operating partnership, Mid-America Apartments LP, have completed an issuance of $135 million of Senior Unsecured Notes.

86. Retail Slide Sends Broad Stock Market Lower - Monday, May 23, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — Signs that U.S. consumer demand may be weakening led to a broad sell-off in stocks Friday, setting the market on course for its third week of losses.

Retailers Gap Inc. and Aeropostale each lost more than 15 percent after cutting their profit forecasts for the year, in part because of higher costs for raw materials. Gap's sales have been sluggish, a worrying sign for investors who are counting on shoppers to lead a recovery in consumer spending.

87. Forecast: Group Sees 2011 Retail Sales Up 4 Pct - Friday, February 18, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – The nation's largest retail trade group says it expects retail sales to rise 4 percent this year, the biggest increase since 2006, but shoppers are likely to remain cautious as they cope with slow job growth and rising prices.

88. Clothing Prices to Rise 10 Pct Starting in Spring - Tuesday, February 15, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — The era of falling clothing prices is ending.

Clothing prices have dropped for a decade as tame inflation and cheap overseas labor helped hold down costs. Retailers and clothing makers cut frills and experimented with fabric blends to cut prices during the recession.

89. Sears Closure Will Affect Nearly 100 Workers - Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Sears has informed the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development that the closure of its store at 3344 Austin Peay Highway, which the retailer announced in January, will affect 91 workers.

90. Sears Closure Will Affect Nearly 100 Workers - Monday, February 7, 2011

Sears has informed the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development that the closure of its store at 3344 Austin Peay Highway, which the retailer announced in January, will affect 91 workers.

91. Credit Card Problems Ebbed in December - Thursday, January 20, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — Fewer credit card accounts slipped into default in December than in any other month of 2010, and signs point to further improvement ahead.

All six of the biggest card issuers Tuesday posted their lowest rates for charge-offs, or accounts written off as uncollectible. Citibank, which has had some of the highest charge-off rates over the past two years, posted the biggest decline. It wrote off 8.34 percent of its card balances in December, down from 9.4 percent in November and well below the high of 11.55 percent posted in March.

92. December Increase Seals Strong Holiday for Retail - Friday, January 7, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers sealed their strongest holiday sales increase since 2006, as a robust November more than offset spending that tapered off in December.

The results reported Thursday suggest steadily improving consumer spending. For investors, whose expectations were riding high, the December figures were disappointing.

93. Spending Data Show December Sales Strong - Thursday, January 6, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans spent more on clothes, shoes, luxury goods and electronics in December than a year earlier, extending retail sales momentum that had been building since August, according to data released Wednesday.

94. Holiday Shoppers Sprint to End; Retail Revenue Up - Thursday, December 23, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – Holiday shoppers are racing to the end of the season at a more feverish pace this year, with retail revenue up 5.5 percent during the last weekend before Christmas.

The figure, released by ShopperTrak on Wednesday, is a drastic improvement from the same weekend last year, when revenue dropped 6.2 percent. The final shopping weekend last year was marred by a big East Coast snowstorm.

95. Recipe for a Rally Cocktail - Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Rally Cocktail Few things provide more cheer and meaning for the holiday season than a market rally. For those interested in the recipe for the current one, here are the key ingredients:

96. Jobless Claims Rise, But Trend Shows Improvement - Friday, December 3, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, but the broader trend in layoffs points to a slowly healing job market. The average over the past month fell to a two-year low.

97. Holiday Shoppers Came Out to Spend in November - Friday, December 3, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – Generous discounts lured American to stores and online for holiday gifts in November, providing cheer and delivering the best gains for retailers in four years.

That raises hopes, already buoyed by reports of crowded malls and early numbers, for a strong holiday shopping season and is an encouraging sign for the economic recovery.

98. Shadows of Doubt - Monday, November 29, 2010

As the housing market continues to improve, a significant backlog of foreclosed and distressed properties that have not been put on the market could bring the recovery to a screeching halt.

Many lenders across the nation – mostly banks – are struggling to keep up with the overwhelming number of borrowers who have stopped making their mortgage payments. And with the fledgling recovery in housing still weak, banks, institutional investors and even some homeowners who want to sell their homes are waiting until the market shows marked improvement.

99. Credit Card Writedowns Continue Decline in October - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – The ability of credit card holders to pay off debt has shown sustained improvement this year and on Monday the top U.S. credit card issuers said that trend continued in October.

100. Heavy Discounts Fuel Only Modest Retail Gains - Friday, November 5, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans took a pause in shopping in October, leaving retailers with their weakest peformance since April as unsually warm weather depressed their appetite for cold weather items.