Merry Web

Online retail spending rose 15 percent to $26.8 billion in the holiday season through Dec. 12, according to ComScore, a sign more consumers are taking advantage of discounts available through e-commerce providers.

Rosier Avon

Avon shares rose 5.1 percent to $16.96 in the wake of the announcement that Andrea Jung is being replaced as CEO.

J. Crew

J. Crew Group Inc. won approval of a $16 million settlement that resolves investor lawsuits over the buyout of the retailer by two private-equity firms.

Madoff fees

A judge dismissed an investor claim to recoup fees earned in the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme by banks that managed investments in a so-called feeder fund, Fairfield Greenwich, according to a court order.

Suffolk crunch

Suffolk County is under review by Moody’s Investors Service for possible downgrade on $1.3 billion of long-term general-obligation debt. Moody’s Aa2 rating is under review due to the “expectation that the county’s financial operations will be challenged by its narrowed cash position,” analysts wrote.