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Airlines struggle

to stay on time

Airlines are struggling this year to get planes to the gate on time. The government said Thursday that 80.3 percent of flights by U.S. carriers arrived on time in January and February. That's down from a record 84.9 percent during last year's storm-free winter. Delta was best among the nation's five largest airlines, at 86.2 percent. JetBlue was next to last, at 68.8 percent, as a huge snowstorm hit its hubs in Boston and New York.

U.S. jobless claims

plummet to 346K

The number of Americans seeking first-time unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, to a seasonally adjusted 346,000 from 388,000. The drop nearly reversed three straight weeks of increases. Economists say weekly claims below 350,000 indicate a moderately growing labor market.

Cold March keeps

retail sales tepid

U.S. retailers reported a key revenue figure rose slightly during March. Shoppers curtailed their spending, probably because of the cold weather across the nation, particularly the Midwest and East Coast, and because of continued fears about the economy. Consumer spending accounts for more than 70 percent of economic activity.

Insider trading

charge hits KPMG

Bryan Shaw, owner of a Los Angeles-area jewelry business, bestowed gifts on Scott I. London, a senior partner at accounting giant KPMG. In return, Shaw received secret information about KPMG clients, and earned more than $1 million by illegally trading in the shares of the clients' companies, federal prosecutors allege. London faces criminal charges.

Cheaper oil takes

bite out of imports

Prices paid by U.S. importers fell last month after two straight increases, driven down by cheaper oil. The Labor Department said import prices dropped 0.5 percent in March after a 0.6 percent gain the previous month. The cost of fuel imports declined 1.9 percent. Excluding fuel, import costs fell 0.2 percent.

Burger King CEO

moves to Heinz helm

Heinz's new owner, 3G Capital, is tapping Burger King CEO Bernardo Hees as the food company's next top executive, a move that installs one of it own at the helm of the ketchup maker. Hees is a 3G partner. Heinz shareholders are set to vote on the move at a meeting April 30.

Judge won't dismiss

Martha Stewart suit

A New York State Supreme Court judge has rejected a motion by lawyers for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to dismiss Macy's claim that the merchandising and media company violated its pact when it developed certain products for competitor J.C. Penney, even though they don't carry the home designer's name. He cautioned that his decision doesn't mean Macy's will win the lawsuit against Martha Stewart Living.