Wright Express will process BP card transactions abroad

Wright Express Corp. has signed an agreement with BP International to process BP’s fuel card transactions in Australia and New Zealand.

The South Portland company recently bought Retail Decisions, an Australian fleet and prepaid-card business, for $318 million.

Wright Express provides information management and payment processing service for fleets of vehicles. Its charge cards are used for fuel and for the maintenance of 4.6 million vehicles.

McDonald’s shares touch all-time high on Monday

McDonald’s posted its biggest monthly increase in more than a year in an important U.S. sales figure as its new fruit smoothies and ice-cold frappes got a warm reception from customers last month.

The increase shows just how much the behemoth is outpacing its competitors as customers keep flocking to the world’s largest hamburger chain while competitors post anemic U.S. sales. Shares touched an all-time high Monday morning.

July sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose 5.7 percent — the biggest monthly increase since April 2009. The figure is seen as a key gauge of performance because it excludes the effects of restaurants that open or close during the year.

 

Honda recalls 384,220 cars over ignition switch glitch

Honda Motor Co. is recalling 384,220 passenger cars to address problems with an ignition switch that could allow the key to be removed without the transmission being shifted into park.

Honda said the recall includes 2003 model year Accord and Civics and 2003-2004 versions of the Element. Honda told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the defect with the automatic transmissions could lead to a vehicle rolling away and increase the risk of a crash.

Owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009 and select option 4 for more information.

 

Traders await Fed decision on stimulus this afternoon

Investors are getting optimistic that the Federal Reserve will restart some of its economic stimulus programs.

Stocks closed moderately higher Monday, a sign that many traders expect the Fed to take steps to put some energy back into the recovery. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 45 points, more than making back its loss from Friday.

Volume on the New York Stock Exchange fell to its lowest level of the year as many investors stayed out of the market while they awaited the Fed’s decision.

The Fed’s assessment of the economy, and any plans to resume its stimulus measures, will be issued after its meeting ends this afternoon.