On Friday, Alleghany Corp DEL (NYSE:Y) reported its second quarter earnings and discussed the following topics in its earnings conference call.

Three things to do today. � Scion's Bonzai 2012: An all-ages show featuring The Offspring, Eve 6, the Gaslight Anthem, Oberhofer, Our Lady Peace and Walk the Moon starts at noon in Highland Bowl, 1200 South Ave.

At The Motley Fool, we poke plenty of fun at Wall Street analysts and their endless cycle of upgrades, downgrades, and "initiating coverage at neutral.

Updated: July 26, 2012 5:17AM. MUNDELEIN - When Pete Tekampe looks at his corn crop wilting under the extreme heat and drought conditions, the prognosis is not good.

Actions speak louder than words, as the old saying goes. So why does the media focus so much attention on what Wall Street says about companies, instead of what it does with them?

Apple Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) (MSFT) were among companies that reached a settlement of patent-infringement claims by NTP Inc., the licenser that extracted a $612.5 million settlement from Research in Motion Ltd.

Three things to do today. � Astronaut Mission: The Future, a star show for ages 6 to adult, offers a glimpse at what's coming up in space travel and can be seen at 1 p.m.

Steven Romick manages the $9 billion Crescent Fund for FPA Capital. His primary objective with his portfolio is to avoid permanent impairment of capital, rather than simply try to match the market.

ROBBINS, N.C. - It's midafternoon, and nothing is moving in this onetime textile mill town 50 miles northwest of sprawling Army installation Fort Bragg.

New York: Edward J. Kelley - Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel. Lisa Moser - Senior Vice President. Thomas Moore - Vice President.