United Rentals Inc. agreed to buy H&E Equipment Services Inc. for $3.4 billion in cash, gaining a fleet of equipment to serve construction and industrial markets.

Revenue came to $39 billion for the fiscal quarter ended in November, driven by higher prices for branded drugs and prescription volumes at the company’s U.S. retail pharmacy division.

Albertsons Cos. raised its adjusted earnings outlook for the full year, a positive sign for the grocer seeking to pave a new path after its proposed deal with Kroger Co. fell apart.

Value was in vogue in 2024. Shoppers and restaurant patrons in the U.S. were choosy about where and how to spend their money as they wrestled with high housing and food prices.

Analysts are betting that further market-share gains and increased profit contributions from Walmart’s higher-margin ancillary businesses will extend the stock’s rally.

Costco Wholesale Corp. posted quarterly profit that beat expectations, showing the big-box retailer remains unfazed by tighter consumer spending.

The U.S. agriculture industry has started talks with Donald Trump’s transition team in a bid to advocate for the food business as the president-elect pledges tariffs and mass deportations.

The main owner of chocolate maker Hershey has rejected a preliminary takeover offer from Mondelez International Inc., people familiar with the matter said.

Mondelez International’s latest overture to Hershey underscores the challenges posed by high cocoa prices and penny-pinching consumers, which could make the company more open to a deal.

Albertsons is giving up on its merger with Kroger and it is suing the grocery chain, saying it didn’t do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion agreement.