Altria Group

For decades, the government has been warning consumers about the dangers of tobacco. That campaign will soon undergo a serious escalation, with the introduction of large, graphic antismoking messages on cigarette packs. The industry is fighting back, and may have the constitution on its side. But will it ultimately matter?

Of all the ways a company might become more valuable, this has got to be the most superficial: a simple change of name. And yet a study of corporate name changes shows that it works. From 1-800 Flowers.com to Philip Morris-Altria Group, here are some of the most noteworthy nominal transformations.

VF Corp., whose brands include Wrangler, Nautica and The North Face, said Monday it will buy boot and clothing maker Timberland Co. for more than $2.2 billion. With the addition of Timberland, VF's outdoor and action sports business, will make up 50% of the company's total revenue.

The S&P 500 is one of the most followed stock market index in the world. Mutual fund managers benchmark their returns against it, yet somehow the vast majority underperform the index every year. Many dividend investors choose to ignore the index, and instead focus on its components.

While painful (for most folks) to watch, the actor's explosion has created a bonanza for the tabloid mill. But on a broader level, Sheen has also offers a potential shot in the arm for companies across the spectrum, from media to pharmaceuticals. Hey Viacom, how about Charlie's Family?

In business jargon, it seems like round has come back around. We're hearing a resurgence of the defense-minded phrase "circling the wagons," as well as the extremely slippery phrase "circle back," which changes its meaning completely depending on who's saying it.

On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to decide whether all the female employees who claim Walmart discriminated against them can sue the world's largest retailer as a class, and if they can, whether they can sue for back pay or only for judicial orders to force it to change its behavior.