Lifestyle and Budget

Target hits on all cylinders in the fourth quarter

Strong online sales, traffic growth in newly remodeled stores and expanded delivery options pushed target beyond most expectations in the crucial fourth quarter, when retailers ring up holiday sales.

Michigan governor defends proposal for steep fuel tax rise

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called Tuesday for nearly tripling Michigan's per-gallon gas tax — and making the state home to the country's highest fuel taxes — in order to improve aging roads that she warned would only get worse without a major influx of new spending.

Stockpiling spreads in UK economy ahead of Brexit

A series of surveys indicate that the British economy held up in February in the face of Brexit uncertainties but that much of the growth was due to firms and consumers stockpiling in case the country crashes out of the European Union with no deal.

Business Highlights

___ Huawei pleads not guilty to trade secrets charges in Seattle SEATTLE (AP) — The Chinese tech giant Huawei has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges that it stole trade secrets from T-Mobile.

Homebuilders face affordability hurdles this spring

A pullback in mortgage rates has helped boost homebuilder stocks this year after a dismal 2018, when the U.S. housing market slowed under the weight of higher borrowing costs, rising prices and a thin supply of homes for sale.