As the U.S. economy continued its steep fall into a deeper recession, many major oil companies – in particular Exxon Mobil – enjoyed a steep ascent into record-setting profits.
The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), which measures economic activity, fell at a yearly rate of 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008 (adjusted for inflation).
That’s the [...]

US fast-food giant McDonald’s said Monday its 2008 net profit soared 80 percent from a year, lifted by growing demand from consumers seeking low-cost meals in a deepening global recession.
Net profit for the full year totaled 4.3 billion dollars, compared with 2.3 billion in 2007, the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said in a statement.
Excluding exceptional [...]