Siriusly?

On Jan. 1, satellite radio company Sirius XM Radio is raising the price of its basic package from $12.95 to $14.49 per month, Sirius said yesterday. It’s the first price rise since the service launched in 2002.

Avis quits

Avis Budget Group said it will abandon its $1.56 billion bid to acquire Dollar Thrifty, leaving Hertz as the lone remaining suitor. Avis rose 74 cents, or 6.3 percent, to $12.48 in Nasdaq trading. Dollar Thrifty rose 34 cents to $65.04 in NYSE trading, while Hertz gained $1.35, or 13 percent, to $11.37.

Stalled sales

Retail sales unexpectedly stagnated in August, highlighting the risk the economy will stall. The unchanged reading followed a 0.3 percent gain for July.

Verizon blues

Verizon said storms, including Hurricane Irene, and a strike by some employees have cost it as much as $250 million this quarter.

Louis Vuitton

Jordi Constans, a 47-year-old Danone yogurt exec, is the surprise choice to replace Yves Carcelle as CEO of luxury bag maker Louis Vuitton.