dips

Hasbro Inc.'s fourth-quarter profit slipped 1 percent, pinched by softer-than-expected demand in the U.S. and Canada and slow sales of games and puzzles.

The new national pastimes are calling the top of the stock market, commenting on Middle Eastern affairs and — buying dips.

General Motors executives are playing up three bright spots in the company's future as they try to persuade investors to buy GM stock: a better lineup of cars and trucks, potential for global growth and a new cost structure that enables the company to make money even when the economy dips.

The nation's economic stress fell in September to a 16-month low, thanks to more hiring in New England, fewer foreclosures in the mid-Atlantic and declining bankruptcy filings in the Southeast, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country.

Learning Tree International Inc.'s net income dipped slightly in the latest quarter even as revenue notched higher.

OK, you're gutsy enough to buy on dips. Now how about buying on a dive?

Internet Explorer's market share, as measured by market tracking firm Net Applications, continues to drop. The once overwhelmingly dominant web browser has dropped below 60 percent market share.

Construction of new homes dipped unexpectedly last month as bad weather hit much of the country.

Nov. 11 -- Confidence in the world economy dipped in November as central banks' actions to withdraw some stimulus measures sparked concern about the strength of the recovery, a Bloomberg survey of users on six continents showed.

Denny's Corp. said its third-quarter profit slipped as consumers continued to eat at home more often amid the recession.