Zions launches

smartphone app

Zions Bank has launched Business Mobile Banking, a smartphone application for its business clients. The free app gives clients another way to manage their bank accounts. The app is available through Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play. It also is accessible at http://www.m.zionsbank.com.

Outlook improves

among builders

Confidence among U.S. home builders is swelling to a five-year high, with many now anticipating that sales of new homes will strengthen this year even as signs point to a slowing economy. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index surged six points this month to 35, the highest reading since March 2007. Still, any reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market.

U.S. industrial

output rises

U.S. industrial production rose 0.4 in June as factories made more cars, machines and business equipment, according to the Federal Reserve. But analysts say the country's manufacturing sector is struggling to mount a sustained recovery after factory output fell in two of the past four months.

EU opens new

Microsoft probe

The European Commission is assessing whether Microsoft kept the antitrust commitments it made in 2009. The software giant was required to sell its Windows 7 operating system with a "browser choice screen" that allowed users to select a browser other than Internet Explorer. Microsoft conceded it had "fallen short" on meeting that obligation.

Intel earnings

fall in Q2

Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, says the weak global economy is slowing its growth. The company said its second quarter earnings fell 4.3 percent. Net income was $2.83 billion, or 54 cents per share, down from $2.95 billion, or 54 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 3.6 percent to $13.5 billion.

Q2 income

falls at J&J

Johnson & Johnson said its second quarter net income fell by half due to lower sales and charges for litigation and other items. The maker of Band-Aids and prescription drugs said net income was $1.41 billion, or 50 cents a share, down from $2.78 billion, or $1 a share, a year ago. Revenue was $16.48 billion.

Coca-Cola

profit slips

Coca-Cola said its second quarter profit slipped as higher costs for ingredients offset a bump in revenue. Results, though, were higher than Wall Street expected. For the quarter, the company said it earned $2.79 billion, or $1.21 per share, down from $2.8 billion, or $1.20 per share, a year ago when there were more outstanding shares.