U.S. retail sales in September increased at the slowest pace in five months as consumers limited spending, raising concerns the holiday season may be the worst since 2002. Sales at stores open at least 12 months gained 2 percent from a year earlier, the International Council of Shopping Centers and UBS Securities LLC said. The increase was half the gain of September 2006.

CARLY FIORINA

The former CEO of computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) has signed on as a contributor with Fox News’ soon-to-be launched business news channel. HP severed ties with Fiorina in February 2005 amid controversy over her $24.2 billion acquisition of Compaq Computer Corp., which closed in 2002. Her firing netted Fiorina a severance package of more than $21 million.

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