Jeff Horwich

It's no surprise that this time of year marks the beginning of an important period for the strength of retail in America. But is the outlook full of holiday cheer?

Today's greatest hits: One to France's credit rating, and another to Hewlett-Packard. The reported raids on convenience store Twinkie stashes across the country may have been for nothing. We'll talk about what all these big money politcal donors are up to post-election and consider whethere there's anything you can really do, in the end, about your inevitable mid-life crisis.

Hewlett Packard says fraud is behind the big quarterly loss it unveiled this morning. The personal computing company is writing down $9 billion because of what it calls financial "misrepresentations" by a company it acquired last year.

Europe's second largest economy, France, has just had its AAA credit rating downgraded by the rating agency Moody's.

President Obama is on a visit through Asia. Will his visit open up Southeast Asia economies? Congress is considering changes in the $80 Billion food stamp program, known as SNAP. Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya shares his views on the yogurt company's success. And the Long Island Power Authority is facing criticism for the way it responded to superstorm Sandy.

Credit report company TransUnion is reporting the average credit card debt per borrower grew five percent in the latest quarter and average debt is now almost $5,000.

Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya shares his views on the yogurt company's success, plans for the future, and what Chobani has meant for the region around South Edmeston, New York.

The retailer is broadening an investigation into whether its international operations have violated U.S. corruption laws.

Hostess Brands has filed for permission to liquidate. Congressional leaders say they've had constructive talks with the president over the fiscal cliff. But would no deal actually mean more money for the states? You can bid on a signed sketch by Salvador Dali that someone dropped off at a Washington Goodwill. And we talk with Eddie Money.

Without a fiscal cliff solution, capital gains taxes will increase by two-thirds in 2013. How are investors gearing up for the possible increase?