In brief: Intel settles antitrust case

WASHINGTON – Intel has agreed to change some of its practices to settle a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging a decade of abuse.

Intel Corp. is calling a truce in one of its last major antitrust battles over its behavior in the market for computer chips. Among the provisions in the tentative settlement, Intel would be prohibited from withholding benefits from computer makers that also do business with Intel’s rivals.

The settlement with the Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday extinguishes the harshest lawsuit Intel has faced yet from government regulators, who have accused Intel of illegally bullying computer makers and sabotaging rivals to protect its dominance.

Associated Press

Harley considering a move

MILWAUKEE – It’s the roar that made Milwaukee famous – the distinctive throaty rumble of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But that much-loved racket could be rumbling away to another state if the company cannot bring down its labor costs.

Harley-Davidson warned employees in April that it will move its Wisconsin manufacturing operations elsewhere if it cannot cut millions of dollars at the factories that build the bikes known as “Milwaukee Iron.”

Harley’s corporate headquarters would remain here, but that’s small consolation to a community that has already endured repeated blows to its civic identity.

“When you think of Milwaukee you think of beer, brats and Harley-Davidson,” said Steve Daily, a researcher at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. “Right or wrong, that’s what it is.”

Harley chief executive Keith Wandell said the company will make its decision on whether to move in the next two months. Harley executives are scouting out other states, though Wandell will not say which ones.

Associated Press

Earnings reports

From wire reports

• Jack in the Box Inc. posted a higher net income for the latest quarter of $24.2 million, or 44 cents per share. That compared with $19.6 million, or 34 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

• A rebound in advertising markets and strong box office results helped lift Time Warner Inc.’s second-quarter profit 7 percent, the media conglomerate said. Time Warner reported net income of $562 million, or 49 cents per share, for the three months ended June 30. That’s up from $524 million, or 43 cents, a year ago.