Reuters - Sunglasses maker Oakley Inc. said on Thursday that first quarter net profit tripled, beating analysts' estimates, as results were helped by a 31 percent rise in sales and an income tax benefit.

Reuters - The widening U.S. student lender scandal is putting new scrutiny on the ties between private loan companies like Sallie Mae and the government agencies that oversee federal loan programs.

Reuters - General Electric Co.'s WMC Mortgage subprime lending unit plans to lay off 771 workers, about half of its staff, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.

AP - Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down for the first time in six weeks as investors saw evidence that inflation is not getting out of hand.