Cisco earnings beat analysts' forecasts The earnings announced Wednesday exceeded analyst projections for the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment. The Menlo Park social networking service, grappling with large rivals such as Google, is ramping up hiring, growing 44 percent to 4,619 employees in the fourth quarter from a year earlier. INSURANCEFirms with ties to Iran revealedState Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance and units of Cigna are among insurers investing in firms that do business with Iran, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said Wednesday. COMPUTERSNew Apple laptops cheaper, fasterApple has introduced more affordable versions of the MacBook with faster processors as the company works to woo price-conscious consumers amid slumping sales in the personal-computer market. The Stanford University Board of Trustees this week approved a 3.9 percent tuition increase for MBA students attending the Stanford Graduate School of Business.