Jobless claims

Although applications for unemployment ben efits dropped 22,000 last week to a season ally adjusted 405,000, the lowest level in al most three months, New York state had the biggest increase, due to layoffs in educational services, transportation and manufacturing.

Board woes

American Apparel said it received a letter from the NYSE Amex Ex change that the composi tion of the clothing chain’s audit committee and board of directors was not in compliance with the exchange’s guidelines.

Boss boost

German luxury clothing company Hugo Boss raised its full-year earn ings outlook to an in crease in sales of 15 to 17 percent, up from 12 per cent after reporting a more than five-fold jump in second-quarter profit.

Oil split

ConocoPhillips plans to shed its refining business through a spinoff by the end of next June.

Sweetner

Major League Baseball said it sweetened its offer to loan the Los Angeles Dodgers $150 million while the team is in bank ruptcy.