Yahoo Business - Source Information

Source URL: http://news.yahoo.com/i/749;_ylt=AvP3INWQsksMCsMKPzWEeHOs0NUE
Number of headlines in database: 583
Last update: 2010-03-12 04:13:10

Yahoo Business Headlines

  • Asian stocks mixed after S&P index clears hurdle(AP) (2010-03-12 02:32:42)
    AP - Asian stock markets were mixed in early trading Friday after the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed at a 17-month high with investors worried about inflationary pressures in China.
  • Toyota 'mystified' by runaway Prius case in Calif.(AP) (2010-03-12 01:05:59)
    AP - A Toyota executive said Thursday the company is "mystified" by a report that a California man's Prius gas pedal became stuck and caused the car to speed out of control on a California freeway.
  • Pall fiscal 2Q profit falls short of expectations(AP) (2010-03-11 23:51:03)
    AP - Pall Corp. on Thursday posted a 28 percent rise in its fiscal second-quarter profit, but still fell short of Wall Street estimates.
  • Summary Box: Citi CEO sees return to profitability(AP) (2010-03-11 23:16:22)
    AP - BULLISH OUTLOOK: Citigroup Inc. says its returning to "sustained profitability" after losing billions on bad loans and taking a federal bailout. CEO Vikram Pandit says the bank is shedding risky mortgage assets and shifting focus to emerging markets like Latin America and Asia.
  • Ulta Salon expects earnings and sales growth(AP) (2010-03-11 23:08:38)
    AP - Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. on Thursday said it expects its earnings per share to double or nearly double in its fiscal first quarter compared with a year ago.
  • Protests mar groundbreaking for NJ Nets' NYC arena(AP) (2010-03-11 23:03:31)
    AP - Officials broke ground Thursday on a much-delayed 22-acre development project that will bring the NBA's New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn.
  • Slowly, Americans are regaining their lost wealth(AP) (2010-03-11 23:02:16)
    AP - Americans are recovering their shrunken wealth — gradually. Household net worth rose last quarter, mainly because the healing economy boosted stock portfolios. But the gain was slight. And it was less than in the previous two quarters.
  • Stocks climb for 3rd day as financial shares rise(AP) (2010-03-11 23:02:16)
    AP - A rally in financial stocks Thursday helped the market extend its grind higher to a third day.
  • Toyota discounts boost sales, U.S. mulls "black box"(Reuters) (2010-03-11 23:01:35)
    Reuters - Unprecedented discounts after a series of damaging recalls boosted Toyota Motor Corp's U.S. sales in early March, as U.S. regulators weighed new auto safety measures.
  • Citigroup CEO says bank on path to profitability(AP) (2010-03-11 22:55:10)
    AP - Citigroup Inc. says it's heading back toward sustained profitability after two years that saw the bank lose billions of dollars and be bailed out by the government.
  • Siemens moves power unit to NC, adds 825 jobs(AP) (2010-03-11 22:32:09)
    AP - German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG is consolidating production of gas turbines for electric utilities in North Carolina to position itself for an expected boom in electricity demand in the Southeast and around the world.
  • Dollar dips as Greece announces new spending cuts(AP) (2010-03-11 22:17:51)
    AP - The dollar eased against the euro and the pound Thursday as Greece announced additional salary cuts and tax hikes to deal with its ballooning deficit, while China reported a jump in inflation.
  • Citigroup sees return to sustained profitability(Reuters) (2010-03-11 21:37:59)
    Reuters - Citigroup Inc Chief Executive Vikram Pandit told investors on Thursday the bank is on track to return to sustained profitability and losses from some of its worst assets should be manageable if the economy does not deteriorate.
  • Americans regaining their lost wealth (slowly)(AP) (2010-03-11 21:01:23)
    AP - Americans are recovering their shrunken wealth — gradually. Household net worth rose last quarter, mainly because the healing economy boosted stock portfolios. But the gain was slight. And it was less than in the previous two quarters.
  • Kroger declares quarterly dividend of 9.5 cents(AP) (2010-03-11 21:01:08)
    AP - The Kroger Co., the country's largest grocery retailer, on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend of 9.5 cents per share payable June 1 to shareholders of record as of May 14.
  • Greece hit by strikes, clashes over austerity plan(AP) (2010-03-11 20:59:48)
    AP - Clashes between riot police and rock-throwing, masked youths broke out during a demonstration Thursday in central Athens by tens of thousands of striking workers protesting austerity measures that the Greek government has said it has no choice but to implement.
  • Obama launches export-doubling strategy(AFP) (2010-03-11 20:54:23)
    AFP - President Barack Obama put into action Thursday an ambitious strategy to double US exports by prising open lucrative emerging markets in a bid to ease unemployment amid fragile economic recovery.
  • Gov't may seek more authority on vehicle safety(AP) (2010-03-11 20:49:58)
    AP - Government vehicle safety regulators may seek greater authority to investigate defects in cars and trucks following Toyota's recall of more than 8 million vehicles for safety problems.
  • BP to pay $7 billion for Devon exploration rights(AP) (2010-03-11 20:49:34)
    AP - BP is expanding its dominant oil and gas operations in the Gulf Mexico and dropping anchor off Brazil with a $7 billion deal to buy exploration rights from Devon Energy.
  • Fannie Mae to offer $6b in notes(AP) (2010-03-11 20:48:53)
    AP - Fannie Mae on Thursday said it will offer $6 billion of new 3-year notes due May 7, 2013.
  • Obama details plans to boost exports, create jobs(AP) (2010-03-11 20:47:43)
    AP - President Barack Obama sought Thursday to put some detail behind his lofty drive to double U.S. exports over the next five years, calling the effort imperative to putting people back to work. But doubts remain about how many net jobs his trade agenda will create — and how he will get it done.
  • Toyota incentives drive March U.S. sales up sharply(Reuters) (2010-03-11 20:47:11)
    Reuters - Sales incentives, including zero-percent financing offers, have boosted Toyota Motor Corp's (7203.T) U.S. sales by nearly 50 percent in early March, an industry tracking service and dealers said on Thursday.
  • Gov't official warns on home down payment hikes(AP) (2010-03-11 20:28:00)
    AP - The head of the Federal Housing Administration is warning that boosting the minimum down payment borrowers must provide to qualify for home loans backed by the agency could threaten the housing market.
  • Fed seen keeping "extended period" low rate vow(Reuters) (2010-03-11 19:20:51)
    Reuters - Lingering U.S. labor market weakness and nagging doubts about the solidity of the economic recovery are expected to keep the Federal Reserve committed to holding borrowing costs very low for a long time at a monetary policy meeting next week.
  • Former aide to US Rep. Shays pleads guilty(AP) (2010-03-11 19:02:21)
    AP - The ex-campaign manager for former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion and to taking more than $250,000 in campaign money for car repairs, limousine rides, baseball tickets, furniture and other personal uses.
  • At a Glance: Smithfield Foods 3Q results(AP) (2010-03-11 18:52:52)
    AP - Weak demand has hurt Smithfield Foods for some time, and the company cut production during its third quarter, which further hurt sales. But the company says trends are improving, and it saw gains in some areas.
  • Kroger rewards in litigation(AP) (2010-03-11 18:41:32)
    AP - WANTS A CUT: Irving, Texas-based Excentus Corp. has sued Kroger Co., saying Kroger failed to work out a licensing agreement concerning its gasoline discount rewards. Cincinnati-based Kroger has filed suit asking another federal court to declare it has done nothing wrong.
  • Feds pledge tough review of Comcast-NBC deal(AP) (2010-03-11 18:37:02)
    AP - Federal regulators are pledging a rigorous review of the proposed combination of Comcast Corp. and NBC Universal.
  • Summary Box: Foreclosures grow more slowly(AP) (2010-03-11 18:10:43)
    AP - FORECLOSURES UP: Foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac says the number of households facing foreclosure last month grew 6 percent from a year ago.
  • Obama issues new call on China over yuan(AFP) (2010-03-11 18:09:36)
    AFP - US President Barack Obama on Thursday issued a fresh call to China to embrace a "market oriented" exchange rate for the yuan, saying such a move would help rebalance the global economy.
  • Dodd to offer his own financial regulation bill(AP) (2010-03-11 17:53:58)
    AP - WASHINGTON AP) — Unable to muster bipartisan agreement on key banking provisions, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd said Thursday he will offer his own version of a sweeping overhaul of financial regulations without Republican support.
  • Oil prices drift below $82(AP) (2010-03-11 17:03:28)
    AP - Oil prices drifted below $82 on Thursday, as investors mulled demand uncertainties and a government report that showed the country's huge natural gas reserves shrank a little last week.
  • Stocks trade flat on concern about China inflation(AP) (2010-03-11 17:03:05)
    AP - Stocks traded in a tight range for a fourth day Thursday after China reported a jump in inflation. Mixed U.S. economic news also held the market back.
  • U.S. traffic deaths down; regulators probed on Toyota(Reuters) (2010-03-11 16:55:02)
    Reuters - U.S. traffic deaths in 2009 hit their lowest level in since the mid-1950s, according to preliminary data released ahead of a congressional hearing expected to take a critical view of auto regulators response to recent safety problems at Toyota Motor Corp.
  • Stocks Are Quiet While Currencies Scream(The Motley Fool) (2010-03-11 16:53:02)
    The Motley Fool - After a down January, the stock market is again positive for the year. The much-fabled January effect barometer didn't work in 2009, and it remains to be seen if it will work in 2010. Economic data has continued its slow improvement, keeping stocks fairly calm. The wild action so far this year has been in the currency markets.
  • World stocks subdued after Chinese inflation jump(AP) (2010-03-11 16:46:47)
    AP - European and U.S. stock markets fell modestly Thursday amid growing concerns of an overheating Chinese economy and as investors awaited further insight into the state of the U.S. economic recovery.
  • How free markets sank the U.S. economy(Reuters) (2010-03-11 16:45:24)
    Reuters - Two years ago, a poisonous brew of bad economics, lax regulation, and egregious behavior boiled over, scalding the financial system and pitching the United States into its steepest downturn since the Great Depression.
  • Pink Floyd wins battle with EMI over online sales(AP) (2010-03-11 16:41:33)
    AP - In a victory for the concept album, Britain's High Court on Thursday ordered record company EMI Group Ltd. to stop selling downloads of Pink Floyd tracks individually rather than as part of the band's original records.
  • Smart Spending: Wedding gifts on a budget(AP) (2010-03-11 16:39:31)
    AP - Spring has sprung and so have the wedding invitations. They'll be joyous events, but finding the perfect gifts to bring along can be stressful during these tough economic times.
  • Stolen Swiss bank data at HSBC hits 24,000 clients(AFP) (2010-03-11 16:34:50)
    AFP - A Swiss unit of global banking giant HSBC revealed Thursday that details on 24,000 bank customers may have been leaked in a major security breach that has helped fuel pressure on Switzerland over tax evasion.
  • Mortgage rates remain below 5 percent(AP) (2010-03-11 16:23:14)
    AP - Mortgage rates held below the 5 percent threshold for the second straight week, a report said Thursday, weeks before a government program that has been keeping rates low is scheduled to expire.
  • CFTC head scolds Wall Street for resisting reforms(Reuters) (2010-03-11 16:05:56)
    Reuters - The head of the top U.S. futures regulator chided Wall Street on Thursday for resisting calls to make over-the-counter derivatives markets more transparent, arguing major reforms are required after the recent financial crisis.
  • Retail leaders group spent $850,000 lobbying in 4Q(AP) (2010-03-11 16:05:51)
    AP - The Retail Industry Leaders Association spent $850,000 in the fourth quarter to lobby on a variety of issues from health care reform to consumer product safety, according to a recent disclosure report.
  • Police clash with protesters as Greeks fight cuts(Reuters) (2010-03-11 15:46:16)
    Reuters - Police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens on Thursday as tens of thousands protested draconian cutbacks aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis shaking the euro zone.
  • Exxon Mobil boosts 2010 spending 4 percent(Reuters) (2010-03-11 15:06:37)
    Reuters - Exxon Mobil Corp will increase its capital spending nearly 4 percent this year to $28 billion as it evaluates new fields around the world, but it cautioned that the global economy remained unsteady.
  • Stocks drop early after mixed jobs report(AP) (2010-03-11 14:47:36)
    AP - Stocks fell in early trading Thursday after China reported a sharp jump in inflation. Mixed U.S. economic news also held the market back.
  • EU says US has pressed it on hedge fund rules(AP) (2010-03-11 14:40:42)
    AP - The U.S. has pressed the European Union on draft rules to regulate hedge funds, but should respect Europe's right to decide its own legislation, a top EU finance official said Thursday.
  • Greece hit by strikes, riots over austerity plan(AP) (2010-03-11 14:31:55)
    AP - Serious street clashes erupted between rioting youths and police in central Athens Thursday as some 30,000 people demonstrated during a nationwide strike against the cash-strapped government's austerity measures.
  • Trade deficit shrinks as auto and oil imports drop(AP) (2010-03-11 14:28:31)
    AP - The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in January, reflecting a big drop in imports of oil and foreign cars. American exports also fell, a potential blow to hopes that the economic recovery will be aided this year by U.S. sales abroad.
  • Signature Bank warrants bring $11.15 million(AP) (2010-03-11 14:19:10)
    AP - The Treasury Department has received $11.15 million from the sale of warrants it received from New York's Signature Bank as part of the support it provided during the financial crisis.
  • First-time jobless claims drop slightly last week(AP) (2010-03-11 14:08:30)
    AP - The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits slipped last week, the latest sign the employment picture is slowly brightening.
  • Imax posts 4Q profit, reversing loss(AP) (2010-03-11 13:47:00)
    AP - Giant-screen movie technology company Imax Corp. posted a fourth-quarter profit Thursday, reversing a year-ago loss on a sharp jump in its movie theater equipment sales and rentals.
  • The Ambitions of Prudential's Tidjane Thiam(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-11 13:08:45)
    BusinessWeek - According to insiders at Prudential Plc , Tidjane Thiam, the chief executive of the insurer which said last week that it was bidding $35.5bn (23.6bn) to buy AIG's Asian insurance business is a firm believer in emotion over analysis.
  • Smithfield Foods returns to 3rd-quarter profit(AP) (2010-03-11 12:52:14)
    AP - Meat processor Smithfield Foods Inc. said Thursday it returned to a profit in its fiscal third quarter, partly due to strength in its packaged meats business as sales grew overseas.
  • Toyota troubles put spotlight on US safety agency(AP) (2010-03-11 12:36:31)
    AP - Toyota's massive recalls are prompting Congress to reconsider whether the nation's auto safety agency has lived up to its mission of protecting motorists.
  • Oil steadies after recent surge(AFP) (2010-03-11 12:22:35)
    AFP - Oil prices held steady on Thursday as investors paused for breath following recent gains made after data that showed stronger US energy demand, analysts said.
  • FTSE 100 opens lower(AFP) (2010-03-11 12:09:55)
    AFP - Leading shares weakened on Thursday after unconvincing gains overnight on Wall Street as investors mulled the latest economic data and company news.
  • HSBC: data on 24,000 Swiss account holders stolen(AP) (2010-03-11 12:07:33)
    AP - Information on 24,000 HSBC customers with Swiss accounts has been stolen, the British bank said Thursday, potentially exposing large numbers of international clients to prosecution by tax authorities in their home countries.
  • BMW 2009 profit falls 36 pct to $286 million(AP) (2010-03-11 11:28:04)
    AP - German carmaker BMW AG said Thursday its 2009 net income fell 36 percent to euro210 million ($286 million) because of lower demand for its cars and motorcycles during the economic downturn as well as a higher tax rate.
  • BMW 2009 net income falls 36 pct to $286 million(AP) (2010-03-11 11:00:42)
    AP - German carmaker BMW AG says its 2009 net income fell 36 percent to euro210 million ($286 million) because of lower demand for its cars during the economic downturn as well as a higher tax rate.
  • Greece hit by strikes over austerity plan(AP) (2010-03-11 10:49:54)
    AP - Protesters have clashed with riot police in central Athens during a demonstration to mark a nationwide general strike against the Greek government's harsh new asusterity measures.
  • Gates regrets Northrop withdrawal from tanker bid(AP) (2010-03-11 10:34:16)
    AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday he regrets that a major defense contractor has pulled out of the contest to build a badly needed new Air Force plane.
  • Volkswagen confirms 2009 net income fell 80 pct(AP) (2010-03-11 10:29:15)
    AP - Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen AG says its 2009 net income declined 80 percent to euro960 million ($1.3 billion), confirming its preliminary estimate released in February.
  • Oil slips under $82 on profit taking(AFP) (2010-03-11 10:22:36)
    AFP - Oil prices slipped under 82 dollars on Thursday as investors took profits on gains made followed data that showed stronger US energy demand, analysts said.
  • China inflation spike weakens equities(Reuters) (2010-03-11 09:02:53)
    Reuters - A spike in Chinese inflation weakened equity markets on Thursday, as investors pondered the prospects of interest rate hikes in one of the world's main economic drivers.
  • U.S. warns EU of rift over fund regulation: report(Reuters) (2010-03-11 09:00:03)
    Reuters - U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has written to the European Commission warning that plans to regulate hedge funds and private equity firms could cause tensions with Washington, the Financial Times reported.
  • Asian stocks post tepid gains; Europe lower(AP) (2010-03-11 08:57:10)
    AP - Asian stock markets posted tepid gains Thursday as China's burst of inflation tempered confidence in the regional economic rebound. European shares opened lower.
  • Japan to fight global trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna(AFP) (2010-03-11 08:48:56)
    AFP - Japan vowed Thursday to fight a global trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna, the pricey mainstay of sushi and sashimi, as Europe and the United States step up moves to protect the species.
  • BP to pay $7 billion for exploration rights(AP) (2010-03-11 08:37:11)
    AP - Oil company BP PLC said Thursday it will pay $7 billion to acquire exploration rights in Brazil, Azerbaijan and the Gulf of Mexico from Devon Energy Corp.
  • India aims to be world's fastest growing economy(AP) (2010-03-11 08:14:33)
    AP - Just how fast can India grow? Ask Manal Farooq, who can't make gloves quickly enough.
  • China's inflation accelerates in February(AP) (2010-03-11 08:11:24)
    AP - China's inflation spiked higher in February, adding to pressure on Beijing to prevent overheating and keep the recovery in the world's third-largest economy on track.
  • Democrats, White House close in on health bill(AP) (2010-03-11 08:10:35)
    AP - A final agreement nearly in hand, President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders are about to embark on one last sales job that will determine the outcome of the president's signature health care overhaul.
  • Safety agency under spotlight in House hearing(AP) (2010-03-11 08:07:58)
    AP - Toyota's massive recalls are bringing new scrutiny to the government's auto safety agency, prompting Congress to look at how federal safety officials have lived up to their mission of protecting motorists.
  • Greece paralyzed by strike over austerity plan(AP) (2010-03-11 08:00:50)
    AP - Greek public transport was halted, flights grounded and state hospitals left with emergency staff only on Thursday as workers held yet another general strike to protest painful spending cuts.
  • Kali+Salz' Q4 net income falls 93 pct to $22M(AP) (2010-03-11 07:44:15)
    AP - German salt and fertilizer company Kali+Salz AG said Thursday that its fourth-quarter net income plunged 93 percent to euro16 million ($22 million) as the downturn significantly affected demand in global agricultural markets.
  • Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu recalls 275,000 vehicles(AFP) (2010-03-11 07:23:57)
    AFP - Daihatsu Motor Co., a subsidiary of embattled Toyota, said Thursday it was recalling almost 275,000 vehicles due to possible defects, the latest in a raft of problems hitting Japanese carmakers.
  • Toyota hands over 2006 dissident memo to U.S. panel(Reuters) (2010-03-11 06:50:34)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor said on Thursday it has handed over to a U.S. congressional committee a letter sent to its management by a splinter union in 2006 seeking reforms to improve safety after a recall crisis at the time.
  • Japan to oppose global trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna(AFP) (2010-03-11 06:15:41)
    AFP - Japan will oppose a proposed global trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna, which has won EU and US backing ahead of an international conference, the top government spokesman said Thursday.
  • 2-second video causes headache for ABC News(AP) (2010-03-11 05:10:56)
    AP - For the want of a better two-second picture of a tachometer, ABC News has called into question its reporting on acceleration problems with Toyota vehicles.
  • Watchdog: GMAC bailout could cost taxpayers $6.3B(AP) (2010-03-11 05:06:56)
    AP - The Treasury Department sank billions into auto finance giant GMAC Inc. without an exit strategy or proof the company was viable — a decision that could cost taxpayers $6.3 billion, a new watchdog report says.
  • Foreclosure rates up by smallest amount in 4 years(AP) (2010-03-11 05:05:22)
    AP - The foreclosure crisis isn't over, but the pace of growth may finally be slowing down.
  • Senate passes $149 billion for jobless aid(Reuters) (2010-03-11 04:45:06)
    Reuters - The Senate on Wednesday passed a $149 billion package of jobless aid and tax breaks, as Democrats continued efforts to lower the 9.7 percent unemployment rate before congressional elections in November.
  • Mexico's Slim becomes 'world's richest' person(AP) (2010-03-11 02:40:29)
    AP - Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim is the world's richest person, jumping past Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the first person from a developing nation to top the list, according to Forbes magazine.
  • Asian stocks tick higher after US stays in a lull(AP) (2010-03-11 02:33:48)
    AP - Asian markets inched higher early Thursday amid mixed economic news and after U.S. stocks closed with small gains following a report that companies cut their inventories.
  • China inflation accelerates in February(AP) (2010-03-11 02:16:13)
    AP - China's inflation spiked higher in February, raising the chances that Beijing might need to cool the recovery in the world's third-largest economy.
  • US Senate adopts aid for unemployed(AFP) (2010-03-11 02:07:44)
    AFP - The US Senate has adopted a 140-billion-dollar raft of measures aimed at shoring up unemployment benefits and setting out tax breaks to spur job creation.
  • Spike in Prius complaints may not be all it seems(AP) (2010-03-11 01:10:11)
    AP - Reports of sudden acceleration in the Toyota Prius have spiked across the country. But that doesn't mean there's an epidemic of bad gas pedals in the popular hybrid.
  • Pelosi says Dems near deal on health care bill(AP) (2010-03-11 01:09:53)
    AP - Democrats claimed momentum Wednesday in their drive to enact the sweeping health care legislation sought by President Barack Obama, citing near agreement on crucial issues despite persistent Republican efforts to knock them off stride.
  • Fed recovers, gets new look as financial regulator(AP) (2010-03-11 01:06:04)
    AP - The Federal Reserve, still dusting itself off from a fight that threatened to trim its powers, could emerge from a congressional overhaul of banking rules as the top cop over the nation's largest financial institutions.
  • GM CEO says U.S. will make money on bailout(Reuters) (2010-03-11 00:54:34)
    Reuters - General Motors Co will pay back roughly $8 billion in debt to the United States and Canada before June and could go public in a way that would allow taxpayers to make a profit on the bailout, Chief Executive Ed Whitacre said on Wednesday.
  • Roll Call: Senate vote on jobless aid measure(AP) (2010-03-11 00:51:53)
    AP - The 62-36 roll call Wednesday by which the Senate voted to extend jobless aid, tax breaks to businesses and individuals and money to help financially strapped states pay for health care for the poor.
  • Hill International 4th-quarter profit rises(AP) (2010-03-11 00:30:54)
    AP - Construction consultant Hill International Inc. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as revenue from its project management and construction claims units rose and selling, general and administrative expenses fell.
  • Japan revises down 4Q economic growth(AP) (2010-03-11 00:21:43)
    AP - Japan says its economy grew notably less in the fourth quarter than initial estimates.
  • ND oil rig count tops 100(AP) (2010-03-10 23:50:17)
    AP - The number of rigs piercing North Dakota's oil patch has topped 100 for the first time in nearly three decades, the state Department of Mineral Resources said Wednesday.
  • Credit card users: Not so responsible after all?(AP) (2010-03-10 23:45:50)
    AP - With unemployment high and personal wealth diminished, how was it that strapped consumers were paying down their credit card debt last year? It turns out they probably weren't.
  • US views Doha framework as 'not satisfactory': lawmaker(AFP) (2010-03-10 23:20:55)
    AFP - The United States is unhappy with the current framework of the Doha Round of negotiations to forge a global trade accord, a key lawmaker said Wednesday after talks with WTO chief Pascal Lamy.
  • How the major stock indexes fared on Wednesday(AP) (2010-03-10 23:01:36)
    AP - Scant buying lifted stocks for a second day Wednesday after the government reported a drop in companies' inventories. The Dow Jones industrials rose only 3 points as the market remained in a lull that began on Monday. Many investors stayed on the sidelines amid an absence of news that could influence trading.
  • Wal-Mart spent $1.78 million lobbying in 4Q(AP) (2010-03-10 23:00:52)
    AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, spent nearly $1.78 million lobbying in the fourth quarter on a wide range of issues from health care reform to organized crime and food safety issues, according to a recent disclosure report.
  • Report: BP is pursuing Devon Energy assets(AP) (2010-03-10 22:47:42)
    AP - BP PLC, Europe's second-largest oil company, is the leading candidate to purchase assets worth more than $5 billion from independent oil and gas producer Devon Energy, the Wall Street Journal said Wednesday.
  • Britain confronts debt of Greek proportions(AP) (2010-03-10 22:46:44)
    AP - Government debt is growing, as is the deficit. The economy is struggling to get out of recession and there is talk of spending cuts or higher taxes. The unions are on edge. And the currency is plummeting.
  • ECB to examine European IMF plan: Trichet(AFP) (2010-03-10 22:30:52)
    AFP - The European Central Bank will consider a proposed emergency fund for eurozone economies in distress, ECB chief Jean-Claude Trichet said on Wednesday.
  • Okla.'s jobless rate continues to improve in Jan.(AP) (2010-03-10 22:14:15)
    AP - Oklahoma's jobless rate declined to 6.7 percent in January.
  • Stocks rise after inventories fall and sales gain(AP) (2010-03-10 22:10:31)
    AP - Scant buying lifted stocks for a second day Wednesday after the government reported a drop in companies' inventories.
  • Jo-Ann Stores posts 4Q profit surge as sales gain(AP) (2010-03-10 22:00:41)
    AP - Craft and fabric retailer Jo-Ann Stores Inc. on Wednesday posted an 82 percent surge in fourth-quarter profit, buoyed by cost-cutting and higher sales across its product lines.
  • Chrysler names North American Fiat head(AP) (2010-03-10 21:58:31)
    AP - Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday that it has named a new executive to head the reintroduction of the Fiat brand to the North American market.
  • Oil prices settle above $82(AP) (2010-03-10 20:47:11)
    AP - Oil settled above $82 on Wednesday after rising as high as $83. Prices got a bump in morning trading following the government's weekly crude inventory report, which showed a smaller increase in supplies than expected. Prices also got some support from OPEC raising its outlook for world oil demand.
  • Senate passes jobless aid, business tax breaks(AP) (2010-03-10 20:44:22)
    AP - The Senate voted Wednesday to extend a host of soon-to-expire elements of last year's economic stimulus measure, including help for the jobless and money to help financially strapped states pay for health care for the poor.
  • Walmart returns items to shelves after lost sales(Reuters) (2010-03-10 20:33:37)
    Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc has put roughly 300 items back on its U.S. store shelves after the retailer said it "disappointed" customers by not stocking certain products.
  • Colorado unemployment rate edges up to 7.4 percent(AP) (2010-03-10 20:33:00)
    AP - Colorado's unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage point in January to 7.4 percent, the state Department of Labor and Employment said Wednesday.
  • Rockwell takes smaller 4Q loss on greater revenue(AP) (2010-03-10 20:24:05)
    AP - Rockwell Medical Technologies Inc., which makes products used in the treatment of kidney disease and anemia, reported a smaller fourth-quarter loss Wednesday as its sales grew and expenses came down.
  • Michigan court delays Toyota executive testimony(Reuters) (2010-03-10 20:22:59)
    Reuters - A Michigan appeals court on Wednesday granted a stay requested by Toyota Motor Corp that delays testimony by two top U.S. company executives in a case about a crash that killed a woman driving a Camry in 2008.
  • Quinn seeks income tax hike for schools(AP) (2010-03-10 19:47:33)
    AP - Calling himself a realist, Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday scaled back his proposal to raise income taxes, shifting to a call for an increase of just one percentage point to be used solely for preventing deep cuts to education.
  • CDC uses shopper-card data to trace salmonella(AP) (2010-03-10 19:11:02)
    AP - As they scrambled recently to trace the source of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds around the country, investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention successfully used a new tool for the first time — the shopper cards that millions of Americans swipe every time they buy groceries.
  • Sonic Auto to sell $210 million of senior notes(AP) (2010-03-10 19:07:15)
    AP - Sonic Automotive Inc. said Wednesday that it has priced $210 million of senior subordinated notes due in 2018.
  • Budget deficit sets record in February(AP) (2010-03-10 19:06:22)
    AP - The government ran up the largest monthly deficit in history in February, keeping the flood of red ink on track to top last year's record for the full year.
  • CA-CANADA Summary(Reuters) (2010-03-10 18:59:41)
    Reuters - The Canadian dollar hit its highest level in almost five months against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, helped by firm oil prices, the prospect of rising Canadian rates and speculation it will return to parity with the greenback. The currency reached as high as C$1.0216 to the U.S. dollar, or 97.89 U.S. cents, but quickly retreated as oil prices turned lower. Oil, which held above $81 a barrel, headed lower around noon.
  • WTO chief holds talks with US officials, lawmakers(AFP) (2010-03-10 18:49:27)
    AFP - WTO chief Pascal Lamy was in Washington Wednesday for talks with US officials and lawmakers amid an uphill effort to wrap up the long-running Doha Round of global trade talks by this year.
  • Highest, lowest state jobless rates at a glance(AP) (2010-03-10 18:42:29)
    AP - The Labor Department on Wednesday said that unemployment rates rose in 30 states in January, as jobs remain scarce across the country.
  • A.M. Castle 4th-quarter loss narrows(AP) (2010-03-10 18:15:27)
    AP - Specialty metal and plastic products company A.M. Castle & Co. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter loss shrank, helped by lower material costs and the effect of one-time charges.
  • Euro rebounds, gains on dollar(AFP) (2010-03-10 18:05:36)
    AFP - The euro staged a modest turnaround against the dollar Wednesday in featureless trading as dealers looked for signals on prospects for the world economy and a proposed European monetary fund.
  • Unemployment rises in 30 states in January(AP) (2010-03-10 17:54:29)
    AP - Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
  • Unemployment rate rises in 30 states(AP) (2010-03-10 17:54:29)
    AP - Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
  • House votes for faster tax breaks for Chile gifts(AP) (2010-03-10 17:49:14)
    AP - The House has passed a bill that would allow taxpayers to write off charitable donations to Chile earthquake relief efforts when they file their 2009 taxes this spring.
  • Stocks rise after inventories fall but sales gain(AP) (2010-03-10 16:44:50)
    AP - Stocks are continuing their slow trek higher after the government's report of a drop in companies' inventories during January.
  • A decade later, lessons in the Nasdaq collapse(Reuters) (2010-03-10 16:37:58)
    Reuters - Ten years ago today, before the dot-com bubble burst, the Nasdaq composite index hit a record 5,132.52 points -- a peak that the technology-heavy market shows no sign of scaling again any time soon.
  • Google CEO: Development in China dispute 'soon'(AP) (2010-03-10 16:12:11)
    AP - Google Inc.'s CEO said Wednesday the Internet search company is in active negotiations with the Chinese government and expects some resolution in its dispute with Beijing soon.
  • US probes runaway Toyota Prius(AFP) (2010-03-10 16:00:54)
    AFP - US investigators launched a probe Tuesday into a runaway Toyota Prius in California, a high-profile case that threatens to undermine the Japanese automaker's effort to repair its battered image.
  • Crude oil stockpiles climb by 1.4 million barrels(AP) (2010-03-10 15:59:48)
    AP - Crude inventories rose less than expected last week, while gasoline supplies dropped, the government said Wednesday.
  • Presstek posts larger 4Q loss but trims costs(AP) (2010-03-10 15:45:53)
    AP - Digital printing products maker Presstek Inc. posted a larger fourth-quarter loss Wednesday as revenues sank, though it said its overall financial position has grown stronger.
  • Turkish PM rules out IMF stand-by deal(AFP) (2010-03-10 15:20:29)
    AFP - Turkey will not sign a loan stand-by deal with the IMF as it does not need emergency funds, the premier said Wednesday, ending nearly two years of talks dogged by disagreement on key issues.
  • Wholesale inventories fall while sales increase(AP) (2010-03-10 15:15:40)
    AP - Businesses trimmed inventories at the wholesale level again in January even though sales rose for a 10th consecutive month. The dip in inventories underscored that businesses remain cautious about restocking their depleted shelves.
  • UK's Brown paves way for election with budget date(AP) (2010-03-10 15:06:49)
    AP - Britain's economic recovery remains fragile, Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Wednesday, as he paved the way for a national election by announcing the government's budget would be published in two weeks.
  • Home loan demand nudges higher in latest week(Reuters) (2010-03-10 15:00:52)
    Reuters - U.S. mortgage applications nudged higher last week, reflecting increased demand for home purchase loans even as interest rates trekked higher, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.
  • Runaway Prius driver: Brakes were 'almost burned'(AP) (2010-03-10 14:59:18)
    AP - Before he called 911, James Sikes says he reached down with his hand to loosen the "stuck" accelerator on his 2008 Toyota Prius, his other hand on the steering wheel. The pedal didn't move.
  • Stocks edge higher in early trading(AP) (2010-03-10 14:46:32)
    AP - Investors are searching for direction Wednesday, after two days of relatively flat trading. Stocks edged higher in early morning trading.
  • Daimler trucks sees market turnaround in 2010(AP) (2010-03-10 14:43:40)
    AP - German car and truckmaker Daimler AG says it expects a turnaround in the global truck market and an improvement in the truck division's 2010 earnings before interest and taxes.
  • Terra favoring CF over Yara in buyer battle(AP) (2010-03-10 14:39:10)
    AP - Fertilizer company Terra Industries said Wednesday its board favors a bid to be acquired by CF Industries instead of a previous agreement with Norway's Yara.
  • Axel Springer 2009 net income falls 45 percent(AP) (2010-03-10 14:04:46)
    AP - German publisher Axel Springer AG said Wednesday that net income fell 45 percent in 2009 to euro314 million ($427 million), with a drop in demand for newspapers and magazines mitigated only partially by new Internet revenues.
  • Turkey, IMF end loan talks(AP) (2010-03-10 13:53:26)
    AP - Turkey says it and the International Monetary Fund have mutually agreed to call off talks for a loan.
  • Real Estate's Link to the Small Business Credit Crunch(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-10 13:08:46)
    BusinessWeek - It's no secret that small businesses in the U.S. face difficulties accessing credit. According to a survey of a random sample of 751 small businesses conducted by Gallup at the end of 2009 for the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, 44% of small businesses seeking credit in 2009 received only some or none of the money they sought. This level of credit access compares poorly with mid-2000, when nine of every 10 companies seeking credit received it. While there is broad agreement that a small business credit problem exists, there is less consensus about its causes. ...
  • Greek strike to shut down services Thursday(AP) (2010-03-10 13:05:00)
    AP - Greek unions will stage their second nationwide strike in a week on Thursday, shutting down all public services, closing schools, customs and tax offices, halting public transport and grounding flights for 24 hours.
  • Swiss Re puts Chile quake insurance cost at $4-7BN(AP) (2010-03-10 13:00:18)
    AP - Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Wednesday that the strong earthquake in Chile last month will cost the insurance industry $4-7 billion, an estimate shared by its Germany-based rival Munich Re AG.
  • Portugal sells $1.34 billion worth of bonds(AP) (2010-03-10 12:58:35)
    AP - The head of Portugal's debt agency says a euro990 million ($1.34 billion) bond auction was oversubscribed, suggesting the government's austerity plan has eased market concerns about the country's high debts.
  • European stocks edge ahead as investors await data(AFP) (2010-03-10 12:24:28)
    AFP - Europe's leading stock markets nudged higher on Wednesday as traders awaited key US economic data and assessed the latest batch of company results.
  • OPEC raises 2010 oil demand forecast(AP) (2010-03-10 12:17:28)
    AP - OPEC has raised its projections for oil demand growth this year by 100,000 barrels per day, but stresses that gains could be eroded if the U.S. government scales back on stimulus efforts before the country's economy fully recovers.
  • World stocks flat but pound takes another hit(AP) (2010-03-10 11:42:10)
    AP - World stock markets traded in a narrow range Wednesday as investors looked for renewed direction, while the British pound continued to founder following unimpressive industrial output figures.
  • German January exports up 0.2 percent on year(AP) (2010-03-10 10:33:00)
    AP - Official data shows German January exports improved 0.2 percent compared with January 2009 but declined a sharp 6.3 percent from December.
  • E.On 2009 net income up sharply to $11.4 billion(AP) (2010-03-10 09:41:31)
    AP - Germany energy company E.On AG said Wednesday that 2009 net income rose sharply to euro8.4 billion ($11.4 billion) partly as a result of the disposal of assets.
  • Infosys says outsourcing deal pipeline improving(Reuters) (2010-03-10 09:00:24)
    Reuters - Infosys Technologies, India's No. 2 software services exporter, is seeing a rise in outsourcing deal flows due to a recovery in the global economy, a top official said on Wednesday.
  • Nationalized UK bank Northern Rock back in profit(AP) (2010-03-10 08:47:59)
    AP - Nationalized mortgage lender Northern Rock said Wednesday that it returned to profit in the second half of 2009 as interest income rose and losses on loans fell.
  • World stocks little changed as China exports surge(AP) (2010-03-10 08:47:03)
    AP - World stock markets were little changed Wednesday even as surging Chinese exports pointed to a pickup in global trade.
  • UK's Brown warns of new economic woes(AP) (2010-03-10 08:24:04)
    AP - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warns that the U.K. may suffer another economic downturn, including a possible dip back into recession.
  • Obama pushing on health care end game(AP) (2010-03-10 08:20:58)
    AP - President Barack Obama has chosen a suburban St. Louis high school to make his closing argument for a health care overhaul, pushing a new anti-fraud plan as he cranks up the pressure on skittish Democratic lawmakers to act fast.
  • Highlights of Senate jobless aid bill(AP) (2010-03-10 08:19:40)
    AP - Highlights of Senate legislation extending unemployment insurance and expired tax breaks:
  • Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks(AP) (2010-03-10 08:19:08)
    AP - Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.
  • Oil slips for 2nd day before U.S. inventories(Reuters) (2010-03-10 07:59:04)
    Reuters - Oil fell toward $81 a barrel on Wednesday in volatile trade as expectations for a gain in U.S. crude stockpiles offset surging Chinese imports.
  • GM Daewoo vows to return to black this year(AFP) (2010-03-10 06:57:41)
    AFP - GM Daewoo, the South Korean unit of struggling US auto giant General Motors, said Wednesday it intends to return to profit this year and currently needs no further financial support from creditors.
  • China February exports jump 45.7 percent(AP) (2010-03-10 05:54:19)
    AP - China's exports rose in February in a new sign of growing global demand that could help persuade officials to let the Chinese currency rise.
  • Soaring China home prices thwart ordinary buyers(AP) (2010-03-10 05:45:16)
    AP - The luxury apartment buildings Yang Xuhua passes on her way to work are a daily reminder of her own frustrated efforts to buy a home. Prices for even modest apartments in Shanghai have soared, putting home purchases out of reach for white collar workers and professionals.
  • Economists trim 2011 U.S. growth forecast(Reuters) (2010-03-10 05:40:59)
    Reuters - U.S. economists raised their forecast for economic growth in 2010 in March, the third straight monthly rise, while trimming their growth forecast for 2011, according to a survey released on Wednesday.
  • Asia markets little changed as China exports surge(AP) (2010-03-10 05:40:36)
    AP - Asian stock markets were little changed Wednesday even as surging Chinese exports pointed to a pickup in global trade.
  • Oil edges up towards $82 on China import surge(Reuters) (2010-03-10 05:40:01)
    Reuters - Oil reversed earlier losses to gain a few cents toward $82 on Wednesday after China said imports jumped in February, boosting evidence that emerging Asian economies will lead global demand back into growth this year.
  • Curbing derivatives might hurt, not help, Greece(AP) (2010-03-10 05:24:49)
    AP - Derivatives have become a dirty word.
  • Oil hovers above $81 amid mixed US inventory data(AP) (2010-03-10 04:45:48)
    AP - Oil prices hovered above $81 a barrel Wednesday in Asia after a report showed mixed evidence about U.S. crude demand.
  • US to expose trade barriers in new report(AFP) (2010-03-10 04:38:22)
    AFP - The United States said it would expose "troublesome" foreign trade barriers in a strategy to prise open markets for doubling American exports to ease an unemployment crisis at home.
  • 'IMF' for Europe a distracting sideshow: experts(AFP) (2010-03-10 04:17:04)
    AFP - Talk of a European version of the International Monetary Fund to rescue errant EU states is little more than a distracting sideshow, analysts and a key central banker say.
  • Bank of America ends overdraft fees on debit cards(AP) (2010-03-10 03:00:07)
    AP - Bank of America customers will soon be unable to spend more than they have in the accounts linked to their debit cards. It's a step that may become a common move ahead of new regulations limiting overdraft fees.
  • Asian stock markets trade in narrow range again(AP) (2010-03-10 01:57:30)
    AP - Asian stock markets were little moved in early trading Wednesday after investors in the U.S. seemed to pause and look back on a year of recovery from the market's 12-year lows.
  • ICF International's 4Q net ticks higher(AP) (2010-03-10 01:05:39)
    AP - ICF International Inc.'s quarterly profit ticked higher as the company benefited from a lower tax rate and higher revenue from its consulting and technology services.
  • Dollar General sues rival chain over colors(AP) (2010-03-10 00:48:59)
    AP - Dollar General Corp. has filed a federal lawsuit against rival discount chain Fred's Inc., claiming the smaller company is using its trademark yellow and black colors.
  • Obama: Greece, facing bad days, has US as ally(AP) (2010-03-10 00:28:43)
    AP - President Barack Obama stood with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Thursday and pledged that the United States would work with its ally, even as Greece's enormous debts sparked frenzied trading.
  • Gas price rises seen gentler on consumer wallets(AP) (2010-03-10 00:26:22)
    AP - As the economy recovers, energy prices are rising and that is placing extra strain on families' budgets.
  • SEC chief economist leaving(AP) (2010-03-10 00:25:02)
    AP - The chief economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who is an expert on the financial instruments that figured largely in the 2008 crisis, is leaving his position for the private sector.
  • US seeks talks to avert trade war with Brazil(AFP) (2010-03-10 00:23:30)
    AFP - Visiting US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said Tuesday that Washington was seeking talks with Brazil before it imposes retaliatory trade tariffs for US cotton subsidies the WTO ruled as discriminatory.
  • Stock investors ask: What's the next big thing?(AP) (2010-03-09 23:00:54)
    AP - A year after the stock market began its comeback from 12-year lows, investors are looking for the next big thing.
  • Kroger, Ruby Tuesday, UAL are big movers(AP) (2010-03-09 22:58:48)
    AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
  • Toyota exec says sales rise 50 pct from March 2009(AP) (2010-03-09 22:57:19)
    AP - A high-ranking Toyota executive says the automaker's North American sales spiked around 50 percent the first eight days of March as incentives helped lure customers after a series of embarrassing safety recalls.
  • Kan. mulling new soda tax, raising other levies(AP) (2010-03-09 22:49:43)
    AP - Kansas would impose a new tax on soda — a penny for every teaspoon of sugar — under a proposal that a key legislator outlined Tuesday while lawmakers considered raising taxes to erase a projected budget shortfall.
  • Loss shrinks at Collective Brands, Payless parent(AP) (2010-03-09 22:40:20)
    AP - Collective Brands Inc., which operates the low-price Payless Shoe Source chain, on Tuesday reported a smaller loss for its fourth quarter as its margins improved.
  • Feds to probe cause of runaway Prius in California(AP) (2010-03-09 22:07:21)
    AP - A Toyota Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway was towed to a dealership Tuesday while federal and company inspectors converged on the car to determine whether a stuck gas pedal was to blame.
  • Cisco unveils system for super-fast Internet(AFP) (2010-03-09 21:55:07)
    AFP - Cisco Systems on Tuesday unveiled super-fast Internet hardware that promises to boost US competitiveness and bolster economic recovery by moving mountains of data at astounding speeds.
  • Dozen centuries-old shipwrecks found in Baltic Sea(AP) (2010-03-09 21:51:29)
    AP - A dozen centuries-old shipwrecks — some of them unusually well-preserved — have been found in the Baltic Sea by a gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany.
  • SEC sues ex-NY loan trader over alleged kickbacks(Reuters) (2010-03-09 21:49:59)
    Reuters - A former stock loan trader at Morgan Stanley and Bank of America Corp in New York received well over $100,000 of cash kickbacks by steering orders to other brokerage firms, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday.
  • Job openings rise sharply(AP) (2010-03-09 21:31:34)
    AP - Job openings rose sharply earlier this year, evidence that employers are slowly ramping up hiring as the economy improves.
  • One Congressman's Solution for Boosting Small Businesses Loans(The Motley Fool) (2010-03-09 21:24:07)
    The Motley Fool - The first Friday of every month brings the all-important employment report. February's numbers were better than anticipated. The United States lost only 36,000 jobs, versus the 68,000 that experts expected. This compares with 651,000 jobs lost in February 2009. Still, the unemployment rate held steady at 9.7%, with the unofficial rate stuck around a whopping 16%.
  • Car detectives crowd around Monday's runaway Prius(AP) (2010-03-09 21:09:01)
    AP - A Toyota Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway was towed to a dealership Tuesday while federal and company inspectors converged on the car to determine whether a stuck gas pedal was to blame.
  • Systemax shares soar after 4Q results(AP) (2010-03-09 20:59:28)
    AP - Shares of Systemax Inc., an electronics retailer, shot higher Tuesday after the company said its fourth-quarter earnings jumped 84 percent.
  • Reconciliation bill will be hard for GOP to derail(AP) (2010-03-09 20:57:21)
    AP - Democrats are tying the fate of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul to a fast-track process that will make the bill tough for Republicans to derail in the Senate. But GOP lawmakers will still be able to force votes and make arguments that could give them ammunition for November's congressional elections.
  • Oil prices slip on stronger dollar(AFP) (2010-03-09 20:56:20)
    AFP - Oil prices slipped Tuesday under pressure from a stronger dollar and ahead of weekly data on petroleum inventories in the United States, the world's largest energy consumer.
  • Moderate Dem says opposes fast-track health bill(AP) (2010-03-09 20:54:40)
    AP - A moderate Democrat insisted Tuesday she remained opposed to pushing a health care bill through the Senate with a simple majority vote, despite saying she wanted to see what was in the legislation.
  • Toyota seeks to block executive testimony in suit(Reuters) (2010-03-09 20:46:29)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) has asked a Michigan appeals court to intervene to keep its top two U.S. executives from being grilled by lawyers for the family of a woman killed while driving a Camry in 2008.
  • Jobless aid, tax breaks clear Senate hurdle(Reuters) (2010-03-09 20:32:10)
    Reuters - Democratic efforts to spur job creation advanced in Congress on Tuesday as a $149 billion package of tax breaks and unemployment aid cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate.
  • U.S. SEC's chief economist to leave agency March 31(Reuters) (2010-03-09 20:15:45)
    Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's chief economist, James Overdahl, will be leaving at the end of the month, he said on Tuesday.
  • Greek PM meets Obama amid finance crisis(AFP) (2010-03-09 19:52:50)
    AFP - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou held talks Tuesday with President Barack Obama seeking US action against speculators he says are deepening his country's financial crisis.
  • Commercial delinquency lower than other mortgages(AP) (2010-03-09 19:41:53)
    AP - Commercial mortgages were among the best-performing loans and leases held by banks and thrifts in the fourth quarter of last year, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Tuesday.
  • Fed's Evans says labor market weakness pervasive(Reuters) (2010-03-09 19:28:42)
    Reuters - Weak U.S. labor markets are likely to justify easy money policies for quite a while longer, a top Federal Reserve official said on Tuesday.
  • Barclays looking for U.S. retail bank to buy: report(Reuters) (2010-03-09 19:05:17)
    Reuters - British bank Barclays Plc is looking to buy a retail bank in the United States to extend its presence after buying Lehman Brothers North American operations in 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people close to the matter.
  • Broad business coalition opposing health care bill(AP) (2010-03-09 19:01:28)
    AP - Major business groups say President Barack Obama's health care overhaul is a job killer, and they're launching a multimillion-dollar ad campaign to take that message to voters.
  • Britain's trade deficit widens(AP) (2010-03-09 19:00:27)
    AP - Britain's trade deficit with the rest of the world widened unexpectedly in January after lower sales of chemicals and other commodities led a drop in exports.
  • Feds to probe cause of runaway Prius in Calif.(AP) (2010-03-09 18:59:16)
    AP - Federal officials are sending two investigators to California to determine what caused a Toyota Prius to race out of control on a San Diego-area freeway.
  • IRS eases rules on tax settlements(AP) (2010-03-09 18:58:03)
    AP - As tax day approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is giving agents more flexibility to work with taxpayers who have seen their incomes drop during the recession.
  • Toyota, U.S. officials investigate runaway Prius(Reuters) (2010-03-09 18:56:01)
    Reuters - U.S. safety regulators and Toyota Motor Corp dispatched investigators to San Diego on Tuesday to inspect a Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway a day earlier.
  • Oil recovers some early losses(AP) (2010-03-09 18:39:22)
    AP - Oil prices trimmed some early losses Tuesday as a two-day rally came to an end.
  • Neiman Marcus moves to profit in Q2(AP) (2010-03-09 18:35:36)
    AP - Luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus Inc. reported Tuesday that it moved to a profit in its second quarter in comparison with a prior year heavy with charges.
  • If drivers band together, cost to Toyota could be huge(AP) (2010-03-09 18:19:53)
    AP - Toyota owners claiming that massive safety recalls are causing the value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the Japanese auto giant $3 billion or more, according to an Associated Press review of cases, legal precedent and interviews with experts.
  • United Technologies cuts CEO compensation(AP) (2010-03-09 18:09:05)
    AP - United Technologies Corp. cut CEO Louis Chenevert's compensation nearly 19 percent last year, according to a document it filed with federal regulators. The company praised his performance but said the recession hurt the conglomerate, especially its aerospace business.
  • Greek PM to meet Obama amid finance crisis(AFP) (2010-03-09 18:05:47)
    AFP - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou Tuesday enters talks with President Barack Obama seeking not a handout but US action against speculators that he says are deepening his country's financial crisis.
  • Euro wobbles on eurozone finance jitters(AFP) (2010-03-09 18:01:46)
    AFP - The euro lost ground against the dollar Tuesday on revived concern for the financial fate of Greece and other eurozone members and resistance to a planned IMF-style European Monetary Fund.
  • U.S. millionaire ranks up 16 percent last year(Reuters) (2010-03-09 17:43:45)
    Reuters - The number of U.S. households with a net worth of at least $1 million jumped 16 percent last year after dipping sharply during the financial crisis, an industry consulting group said on Tuesday.
  • FTSE shares inch lower(AFP) (2010-03-09 17:40:00)
    AFP - The FTSE 100 stock exchange slipped fractionally on Tuesday after a bout of cautious trading due to uncertainty over Europe's economic outlook and poor earnings reports, analysts said.
  • Chevron to shed 2,000 jobs, sell some assets(AP) (2010-03-09 17:17:44)
    AP - Chevron Corp. said Tuesday it will cut 2,000 jobs this year and sell some overseas operations as it revamps its struggling refinery, marketing and transportation operations.
  • Murdoch to Arabs: censorship is counterproductive(AP) (2010-03-09 16:59:32)
    AP - Rupert Murdoch on Tuesday challenged tight controls on media in the Middle East, calling censorship counterproductive and urging Arab leaders to allow their citizens the freedom to unleash their creativity.
  • 12 centuries-old shipwrecks found in Baltic Sea(AP) (2010-03-09 16:50:50)
    AP - A dozen centuries-old shipwrecks — some of them unusually well-preserved — have been found in the Baltic Sea by a gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany.
  • Stocks trade mixed on 1-year anniversary of low(AP) (2010-03-09 16:50:05)
    AP - Stocks are trading in a tight range, a year after major market indexes hit 12-year lows.
  • Airlines improve on-time performance(AP) (2010-03-09 16:29:32)
    AP - U.S. airlines have their best January in four years, when it comes to arriving on time.
  • Chevron to shed 2,000 jobs this year(AP) (2010-03-09 16:21:36)
    AP - Chevron Corp. says it will cut 2,000 jobs this year and will continue reducing its work force through 2011.
  • Job openings up sharply in January to 2.7M(AP) (2010-03-09 16:20:33)
    AP - Job openings rose sharply earlier this year, a sign that employers might be preparing to step up hiring.
  • EU policy makers play down monetary fund idea(Reuters) (2010-03-09 16:13:10)
    Reuters - European policy makers played down on Tuesday the idea of creating a European Monetary Fund, saying it was at most a long-term project that did not offer a solution to Greece's immediate debt problems.
  • EU urges US to join in action against speculators(AP) (2010-03-09 16:02:01)
    AP - European officials urged the U.S. to join in a crackdown on speculators who bet against Europe's currency union, warning they might ban some credit default swaps — opaque financial instruments blamed for worsening the world financial crisis.
  • Kroger 4Q profit falls 27 percent; margins shrink(AP) (2010-03-09 15:12:32)
    AP - The Kroger Co.'s profit fell 27 percent in the fourth quarter, even as sales rose with a boost from the grocer's gasoline incentives for regular customers.
  • Stocks fall early on 1-year anniversary of low(AP) (2010-03-09 14:45:58)
    AP - Stocks inched lower in early trading Tuesday, a year after the stock market hit bottom during the recession.
  • U.S. Sitting on Mother Lode of Rare Tech-Crucial Minerals(LiveScience.com) (2010-03-09 14:25:33)
    LiveScience.com - China supplies most of the rare earth minerals found in technologiessuch as hybrid cars, wind turbines, computer hard drives and cellphones, but the U.S. has its own largely untapped reserves that couldsafeguard future tech innovation.
  • WuXi PharmaTech moves to 4th-quarter profit(AP) (2010-03-09 14:24:41)
    AP - WuXi PharmaTech Inc. late Monday said it shifted to a profit in the fourth quarter, compared with a year-ago period when the research and development outsourcing company lost money due to a large impairment charge.
  • Kroger 4Q profit down 27 percent(AP) (2010-03-09 14:06:15)
    AP - The Kroger Co.'s profit fell 27 percent in the fourth quarter, even as sales rose with a boost from the grocer's gasoline incentives for regular customers.
  • Merkel says EU bailout fund would halt speculators(AP) (2010-03-09 13:54:20)
    AP - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that a European monetary fund to bail out eurozone nations in need would send a clear signal to markets speculating on the possible break-up of Europe's currency union.
  • Chat Transcript: Undergraduate Ranking(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-09 13:08:46)
    BusinessWeek - Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business (Mendoza Undergraduate Profile) took the top spot in the Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranking of undergraduate business programs for the first time this year. Students praised the program for its values and strong alumni network. And there were many other surprises for undergraduate business programs in 2010. Bloomberg BusinessWeek editors Louis Lavelle and Geoff Gloeckler recently revealed the top 50 programs and answered questions about the ranking from reporter Francesca Di Meglio (FrancescaBW) and readers during a live chat event. ...
  • German bankruptcies up 15.5 pct in December(AP) (2010-03-09 12:59:00)
    AP - German corporate bankruptcies rose in 2009 for the first time in six years, with filings up 15.5 percent on the year in December in the wake of recession, government data showed Tuesday.
  • EU warns US against protectionism in Pentagon deal(AP) (2010-03-09 12:55:53)
    AP - The EU on Tuesday warned the United States against protectionism after a European-led consortium pulled out of the bidding for an Air Force contract, saying the terms had been altered to favor a U.S. company.
  • Israel, Syria eye nuclear power plants(AFP) (2010-03-09 12:45:24)
    AFP - Israel and Syria are separately eyeing plans to develop nuclear power to meet the energy needs of the volatile Middle East, ministers told a conference hosted by France on Tuesday to promote reactors.
  • Diodes hikes 1Q sales, profit margin projections(AP) (2010-03-09 12:45:14)
    AP - Semiconductor parts maker Diodes Inc. raised its first-quarter revenue and margin forecasts late Monday, citing strong sales in global markets.
  • Stock futures fall on 1-year anniversary of low(AP) (2010-03-09 12:43:10)
    AP - Stock futures are falling ahead of Tuesday's opening, a year after the stock market hit bottom.
  • Oil drops below $81 after monthlong rally(AP) (2010-03-09 12:32:39)
    AP - Oil prices dropped sharply to below $81 a barrel Tuesday, due to a stronger dollar and profit taking on a monthlong run fueled by growing investor optimism about global economic growth.
  • Class-action lawsuits could cost Toyota $3B-plus(AP) (2010-03-09 12:21:29)
    AP - Toyota owners claiming that massive safety recalls are causing the value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the Japanese auto giant $3 billion or more, according to an Associated Press review of cases, legal precedent and interviews with experts.
  • EADS makes loss but says visibility improving(AP) (2010-03-09 11:58:46)
    AP - Airbus parent company EADS NV reported Tuesday that spiraling costs on its military transport plane and its A380 superjumbo led to losses in the fourth quarter and full year but said its outlook visibility was improving.
  • Politics and retail a no-win mix(AP) (2010-03-09 11:48:22)
    AP - Guns. Religion. Abortion. These are the no-win arguments that spoil family gatherings — and the stuff of retailers' nightmares.
  • European stocks fall as markets mark dark anniversary(AFP) (2010-03-09 11:41:23)
    AFP - Europe's leading stock markets dropped in morning trade on Tuesday as investors reacted to poor earnings news on the grim anniversary of global indices striking multi-year low points.
  • World equities up 73 percent a year after crisis low(Reuters) (2010-03-09 10:41:42)
    Reuters - Equities have had a volatile 2010 so far, but globally they remain around 73 percent higher than the low ebb of the financial crisis exactly 12 months ago.
  • Centuries-old shipwrecks discovered in Baltic Sea(AP) (2010-03-09 10:38:28)
    AP - Sweden's National Heritage board says a dozen centuries-old shipwrecks have been found in the Baltic Sea by a gas company preparing to build an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany.
  • China passenger car sales up 55 pct in February(AP) (2010-03-09 10:19:53)
    AP - China's passenger car sales climbed 55 percent from a year earlier in Feburary, despite a long national holiday, on strong demand for smaller cars and sport utility vehicles, an industry group reported Tuesday.
  • Ford launches affordable made-for-India compact(AP) (2010-03-09 10:06:00)
    AP - Ford Motor Co. launched its first made-for-India compact car Tuesday, as the U.S. automaker continues its push into fast-growing Asian markets.
  • Eurotunnel net profit slumps in 2009(AP) (2010-03-09 09:34:40)
    AP - Eurotunnel SA, the operator of the English Channel tunnel, on Tuesday blamed a fire in the undersea route between France and Britain for nearly wiping out its profit in 2009.
  • Audi '09 net income down 39 pct to $1.8 billion(AP) (2010-03-09 09:31:40)
    AP - German carmaker Audi AG says its 2009 net income fell 39 percent to euro1.35 billion ($1.8 billion) as the economic downturn cut demand for its cars.
  • World markets mixed after lackluster US finish(AP) (2010-03-09 09:27:20)
    AP - Most Asian markets rose slightly Tuesday, but trading was subdued as investors awaited more clues about the health of the world economy following big gains the day before. European shares slipped in early trade.
  • Senate to take up unemployment insurance extension(AP) (2010-03-09 08:17:20)
    AP - Legislation extending unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless faces a key test vote in the Senate, its momentum helped by about 60 popular tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired at the end of last year.
  • Severstal posts $162 mln net loss in Q4(AP) (2010-03-09 08:10:23)
    AP - Russia's largest steelmaker Severstal says its fourth quarter net loss narrowed sharply to $162 million and expects market improvements in the year ahead.
  • Deutsche Post Q4 net loss narrows to $385 million(AP) (2010-03-09 07:53:30)
    AP - German mail and logistics company Deutsche Post AG says its net loss for the fourth quarter narrowed to euro283 million ($385 million) largely because of a cost savings program.
  • No U.S. word on Reliance's fuel sale to Iran: India minister(Reuters) (2010-03-09 07:35:09)
    Reuters - The United States has not raised the issue of gasoline sales by Reliance Industries to Iran, but New Delhi has told the U.S. government that issues with Tehran should be settled by talks, not sanctions, India's junior oil minister said.
  • Merck, Sanofi combining animal medicine businesses(AP) (2010-03-09 07:02:47)
    AP - Two of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies said Tuesday they are uniting their animal health businesses in a deal to become the top dog in the veterinary industry.
  • Asian stocks mixed after lackluster US finish(AP) (2010-03-09 05:50:53)
    AP - Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday, taking a breather after sharp gains the day before as investors awaited more clues about the health of the world economy.
  • Toyota finds no flaw with safety electronics(Reuters) (2010-03-09 05:15:43)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp said it had found no flaw with its throttle controls as it seeks to dismiss an external study critical of its electronic safety systems.
  • Portugal's Socrates defends austerity plan(AFP) (2010-03-09 05:10:35)
    AFP - Big business and the rich will bear the brunt of Portugal's new austerity programme, the country's socialist prime minster said as his government announced spending cuts and select tax rises.
  • Oil hovers below $82 after monthlong run-up(AP) (2010-03-09 04:56:38)
    AP - Oil prices hovered below $82 a barrel Tuesday in Asia, losing momentum after a monthlong run-up fueled by growing investor optimism about global economic growth.
  • China: US assets should not be 'politicized'(AP) (2010-03-09 04:41:43)
    AP - An official in charge of China's foreign reserves tried to ease American concern Tuesday about the political impact of Beijing's huge holdings of U.S. government debt.
  • Toyota hits back at claims of electronic defects(AFP) (2010-03-09 04:19:44)
    AFP - Toyota sought to discredit fears over the automaker's electronics here Monday but were forced onto the defensive hours later when a Prius went speeding out of control along a California highway.
  • Prius with stuck accelerator glides to safe stop(AP) (2010-03-09 03:30:31)
    AP - A California Highway Patrol officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop on Monday after the car's accelerator became stuck on a San Diego County freeway, the CHP said.
  • Amazon cuts off Colo. affiliates because of tax(AP) (2010-03-09 03:08:19)
    AP - Amazon.com Inc. cut ties Monday with Colorado online businesses that help it sell products because of a new state law aimed at getting out-of-state, online retailers to collect sales tax.
  • CA police help slow runaway Toyota Prius to stop(AP) (2010-03-09 02:30:03)
    AP - The California Highway Patrol says an officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop after the accelerator got stuck.
  • Obama pitches health plan in spirited appearance(AP) (2010-03-09 02:10:41)
    AP - Stirring memories of his campaign for the White House, President Barack Obama made a spirited, shirt-sleeved appeal for passage of long-stalled health care changes Monday as Democratic congressional leaders worked behind the scenes on legislation they hope can quickly gain passage.
  • Asian stock markets listless a day after gains(AP) (2010-03-09 01:59:11)
    AP - Asian stock markets were little changed early Tuesday, taking a breather after gains Monday fueled by a better-than-expected jobs report from the U.S.
  • BankFinancial posts 4Q loss on loan loss provision(AP) (2010-03-09 00:44:18)
    AP - BankFinancial Corp. on Monday reported a fourth-quarter loss due to a larger provision for loan losses, higher expenses and an investment loss. Last year's quarter was inflated by a $10.1 million tax benefit.
  • Stay tuned: More fee disputes over local TV coming(AP) (2010-03-09 00:36:40)
    AP - Stay tuned for more fee disputes threatening local television stations on cable TV lineups.
  • King Abdullah Shares Vision for Future of Saudi Arabia in Keynote Address(PR Newswire) (2010-03-09 00:27:00)
    PR Newswire - WASHINGTON, March 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz delivered the keynote address yesterday at the inauguration of the annual session of the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council). His speech addressed a variety of issues, including employment, education, counterterrorism, women's rights, economic policies, oil prices, the Arab-Israeli conflict and humanitarian aid. The audience included members of the Saudi royal family, foreign diplomats, ministers and senior government officials.
  • Stock market rebound shows its age at 1-year mark(AP) (2010-03-08 23:52:48)
    AP - A year after the stock market hit bottom and began a spectacular comeback, it's getting harder to dazzle investors.
  • Greece urging US to better regulate hedge funds(AP) (2010-03-08 23:52:42)
    AP - Greece is urging the United States to step up regulation of hedge funds that Athens blames for making Greece's economic crisis worse.
  • Limited Brands extends credit agreement(AP) (2010-03-08 23:44:29)
    AP - The retailer Limited Brands Inc. said Monday it has amended its existing credit agreement, extending it by two years and reducing lender commitment amounts.
  • Glincher Realty alters credit facility terms(AP) (2010-03-08 23:40:22)
    AP - Real estate investment trust Glimcher Realty Trust said Monday it has extended and changed its agreement for its $470 million unsecured credit facility with its lenders, including KeyBank National Association and Bank of America NA.
  • Rates rise at weekly Treasury auction(AP) (2010-03-08 23:18:33)
    AP - Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills rose in Monday's auction with rates on three-month bills rising to their highest level in more than six months.
  • Summary Box: AIG's $15.5B Alico sale to MetLife(AP) (2010-03-08 23:11:42)
    AP - THE SALE: American International Group Inc. sold its American Life Insurance Co. division, or Alico, to MetLife Inc. for $15.5 billion. The deal is AIG's second big asset sale in two weeks. On March 1, it said it would sell its AIA Group unit to Prudential PLC for $35.5 billion.
  • Greek PM urges G20 effort to rein in speculators(Reuters) (2010-03-08 23:05:06)
    Reuters - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Monday urged the Group of 20 nations to crack down on market speculators, warning that failing to do so could trigger another global financial crisis.
  • Stocks trade flat after more corporate dealmaking(AP) (2010-03-08 22:55:53)
    AP - Stocks ended mixed after a new round of mergers and acquisitions raised some hope for the economy.
  • Toyota says no flaw found with safety electronics(Reuters) (2010-03-08 22:48:35)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp on Monday sought to discredit an outside study critical of its electronic safety systems and said it had found no flaw with its throttle controls.
  • Earnings roundup: H&R Block, Yingli Green Energy(AP) (2010-03-08 22:48:10)
    AP - Among the earnings stories for Monday, March 8, from AP Financial News:
  • School drink deal cuts sugar(Reuters) (2010-03-08 22:30:12)
    Reuters - A deal to sell healthier drinks in U.S. schools has slashed the amount of fattening beverages offered to students, former President Bill Clinton said on Monday as New York leaders pushed for a soda tax to tackle obesity and budget shortfalls.
  • AIG, McDonald's, IMAX, Yahoo are big movers(AP) (2010-03-08 22:26:27)
    AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
  • H&R Block 3Q profit rises despite fewer returns(AP) (2010-03-08 21:30:40)
    AP - H&R Block Inc. says its fiscal third quarter profit rose 7 percent, as lower costs offset a revenue drop that stemmed from handling fewer returns.
  • Is 2010 the Year of Avoiding Taxes?(U.S. News & World Report) (2010-03-08 21:02:14)
    U.S. News & World Report - In a speech last May, President Obama said, "Nobody likes paying taxes . . . . And yet, even as most American citizens and businesses meet these responsibilities, there are others who are shirking theirs." He was referring to offshore tax havens and other loopholes that wealthy Americans often exploit to reduce their tax burden. But it doesn't take moving money to Switzerland to avoid paying taxes. If history is any guide, 2010 will be a year in which many Americans use a few simple methods to reduce their tax liability, which could potentially cost the government billions of dollars.
  • Northrop drops out of tanker competition(AP) (2010-03-08 20:51:40)
    AP - Northrop Grumman Corp. has decided not to compete against Boeing Co. for the $35 billion the Air Force will spend to buy its own fleet of refueling tankers.
  • Detroit wants to save itself by shrinking(AP) (2010-03-08 20:48:20)
    AP - Detroit, the very symbol of American industrial might for most of the 20th century, is drawing up a radical renewal plan that calls for turning large swaths of this now-blighted, rusted-out city back into the fields and farmland that existed before the automobile.
  • IMF suggests how to raise climate change funds(AP) (2010-03-08 20:43:54)
    AP - The head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday proposed a plan for the world's governments to pool together to raise money needed to adapt to climate change, a rare step for an organization that normally does not develop environmental policies.
  • Yingli posts 4Q loss, sees strong 2010 shipments(AP) (2010-03-08 20:34:00)
    AP - Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. on Monday said its fourth-quarter results slid to a loss driven by one-time charges, but the solar cell maker predicted 2010 module shipments to nearly double from 2009 levels.
  • IOC tenders to buy more crude oil for May(Reuters) (2010-03-08 20:04:02)
    Reuters - State-owned refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has tendered to buy one or more cargoes of crude oil for loading in May, a tender document showed on Monday.
  • More work ahead on housing market: Treasury(Reuters) (2010-03-08 20:03:13)
    Reuters - The Obama administration has more work to do to help struggling U.S. homeowners, despite signs of a stabilizing housing market, a senior Treasury official said on Monday.
  • New York governor rejects reimposing stock transfer tax(Reuters) (2010-03-08 19:52:16)
    Reuters - New York state should not reimpose a stock transfer tax as this would make Wall Street firms move to other cities such as New Jersey's Newark, or other states like Connecticut, Governor David Paterson said on Monday.
  • US eases Cuba, Iran, Sudan sanctions to allow Web services(AFP) (2010-03-08 19:43:56)
    AFP - The US Treasury Department on Monday eased sanctions on Cuba, Iran and Sudan to give citizens of those countries access to email, instant messaging, social networks and other Internet-based services.
  • MetLife seals Alico deal after two-year quest(Reuters) (2010-03-08 18:45:12)
    Reuters - MetLife Inc pursued AIG's foreign life insurance business for two years before finally clinching a $15.5 billion purchase that will give it beachheads in 47 nations from Peru to Bangladesh.
  • EU, ECB lock horns over IMF-style rescue fund(Reuters) (2010-03-08 18:28:42)
    Reuters - European policymakers came out in support of a rescue fund that would mark a new phase of economic cooperation within the 16-nation euro zone, setting them on a potential collision course with its central bank.
  • Jobs outlook may be too optimistic: SF Fed study(Reuters) (2010-03-08 18:02:12)
    Reuters - The widely held outlook that U.S. unemployment will ease this year may be overly rosy if companies continue to boost productivity at faster-than-usual levels, economists from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank said in a study released on Monday.
  • Some American Jews sit out recession in Israel(Reuters) (2010-03-08 17:38:13)
    Reuters - Fed up with the tough job market, some young American Jews are choosing to wait out the recession in Israel, where the government heavily subsidizes their stay while they intern, learn Hebrew or volunteer.
  • Oil prices jump above $82(AFP) (2010-03-08 17:04:52)
    AFP - Oil prices climbed above 82 dollars on Monday, extending last week's rally on positive jobs data from the United States, the world's biggest energy consuming nation, analysts said.
  • FDIC's Bair eyes low interest rates, more lending(Reuters) (2010-03-08 17:02:49)
    Reuters - U.S. banking regulator Sheila Bair said on Monday that a low interest rate policy is "clearly appropriate" to get credit flowing, while also saying regulators should stop short of ordering banks to lend.
  • Brazil announces sanctions on US cars, fruit(AP) (2010-03-08 16:54:31)
    AP - Brazil announced trade sanctions on a range of American goods Monday in retaliation for the United States' failure to eliminate billions in illegal cotton subsidies — a move that affects products from Ford automobiles to Heinz ketchup.
  • Stocks get help from more corporate dealmaking(AP) (2010-03-08 16:44:59)
    AP - Stocks are trading in a tight range after a new round of mergers and acquisitions raised hopes for the economy.
  • New York Fed says to expand firms for reverse repos(Reuters) (2010-03-08 16:36:11)
    Reuters - The U.S. Federal Reserve is taking an additional measure to lay the groundwork to drain excess bank reserves, as it seeks to remove some of the $1 trillion in cash it injected during the global credit crisis.
  • Helix Energy seeks to sell oil and gas business(AP) (2010-03-08 16:34:54)
    AP - Oil services provider Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. said Monday it plans to sell its entire oil and gas business in order to transform into a contracting services company focused on deepwater wells and subsea construction.
  • Fed launches reverse repurchase agreement program(AP) (2010-03-08 16:21:04)
    AP - The Federal Reserve is beginning a program to drain some of the unprecedented liquidity it added to markets during the credit crisis.
  • Portugal adds austerity measures(AP) (2010-03-08 16:03:46)
    AP - Portugal announced new austerity measures Monday to avoid a debt crisis like the one engulfing Greece, cutting welfare benefits and government hiring as well as selling assets and raising taxes on the well-off.
  • Retail gasoline prices match 2010 high(AP) (2010-03-08 15:52:31)
    AP - Motorists are well down the road to higher pump prices as warmer weather and the driving season approaches.
  • German poker tournament robbers still on the run(AP) (2010-03-08 15:12:28)
    AP - German police were hunting Monday for four bandits who stormed a poker tournament in Berlin and made off with euro240,000 ($328,000) in jackpot money in a brazen daylight heist.
  • Congressional budget director sees bleak outlook(Reuters) (2010-03-08 15:03:47)
    Reuters - The director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Monday said the U.S. fiscal outlook is "bleak," with a worrisome rise in debt levels looking likely.
  • Stocks inch higher in early trading on fresh deals(AP) (2010-03-08 14:43:09)
    AP - Stocks inched higher in early trading Monday after a fresh round of mergers and acquisitions.
  • McDonald's key sales figure rises in February(AP) (2010-03-08 14:25:10)
    AP - McDonald's Corp. said Monday that sales at restaurants open at least a year climbed 4.8 percent in February on strong overseas growth and a small rise in U.S. sales.
  • Barnes & Noble names head of digital content(AP) (2010-03-08 14:23:03)
    AP - Book retailer Barnes & Noble Inc. said Monday it named Jonathan Shar general manager, digital newsstand and emerging content of its Web site.
  • Greece relieved at EU backing, but strikes grow(AP) (2010-03-08 14:03:37)
    AP - Greek officials expressed relief Monday at European support over the country's debt crisis, but labor unions stepped up strikes, angry at recent wage cuts and sales tax increases they say will hurt the poor.
  • EU considers own crisis fund(AP) (2010-03-08 13:57:24)
    AP - The European Union plans to create a European Monetary Fund to better coordinate the economies of the 16 countries that use the euro and prevent financial debacles such as the Greek debt crisis from undermining the credibility of Europe's single currency.
  • MetLife buying AIG's Alico unit for $15.5 billion(Reuters) (2010-03-08 13:12:08)
    Reuters - AIG is selling its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife Inc for about $15.5 billion, its second major asset sale in a week as it raises funds to repay a massive U.S. government bailout.
  • How Colleges Are Buying Respect(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-08 13:08:46)
    BusinessWeek - ITT Educational Services didn't pay $20.8 million for debt-ridden Daniel Webster College in June just to acquire its red-brick campus, 1,200 students, or computer science and aviation training programs.
  • Portugal uses privatizations to drive down debt(AP) (2010-03-08 13:08:05)
    AP - Portugal announced new austerity measures Monday to avoid a debt crisis like the one engulfing Greece, cutting welfare benefits and government hiring as well as selling assets and raising taxes on the well-off.
  • Stock futures rise slightly ahead of opening(AP) (2010-03-08 13:04:40)
    AP - Stock futures rose slightly Monday as investors welcomed a fresh round of corporate deals.
  • G20 governments containing protectionism - WTO(Reuters) (2010-03-08 13:01:26)
    Reuters - The G20 rich and emerging countries have been broadly successful in holding protectionist pressures in check in recent months but must remain vigilant, the World Trade Organization said on Monday.
  • AIG sells Alico unit to MetLife for $15.5 billion(AP) (2010-03-08 12:58:54)
    AP - American International Group will sell its overseas life and health insurance unit for $15.5 billion to MetLife Inc. in an ongoing bid to repay billions in government aid.
  • EU considers its own crisis fund(AP) (2010-03-08 12:43:33)
    AP - The European Commission is discussing the idea of creating a European Monetary Fund with the 16 countries that use the euro.
  • Oil maintains momentum to rise to near $82(AP) (2010-03-08 12:37:24)
    AP - Oil prices headed higher toward $82 a barrel Monday, extending gains from last week amid signs the global economy may be improving.
  • Senators wrestle with Fed bank oversight issues(Reuters) (2010-03-08 12:26:53)
    Reuters - The Federal Reserve could retain oversight of large bank holding companies under a scaled-back regulatory reform plan being considered by key senators, but important questions remained unanswered, lobbyists said on Sunday.
  • MetLife to buy AIG's Alico unit for $15.5 billion(Reuters) (2010-03-08 12:26:07)
    Reuters - AIG is selling its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife Inc for about $15.5 billion, in its second major asset sale in a week to repay the U.S. government billions of bailout money.
  • Toyota chief meets Japan PM, vows to rebuild trust(AP) (2010-03-08 12:06:26)
    AP - Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda met with Japan's prime minister Monday and promised to restore trust in the automaker's cars as it embarks on a broad campaign to repair its tarnished reputation.
  • Arrow Energy gets $3 billion takeover bid(AP) (2010-03-08 11:56:40)
    AP - Arrow Energy Ltd. said Monday that a company jointly owned by Royal Dutch Shell and PetroChina has sent it a takeover bid worth $3.3 billion Australian dollars ($3 billion).
  • Toyota chief says sees U.S. sales recovery ahead(Reuters) (2010-03-08 09:57:47)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp's president said on Monday he believed that sales in North America could recover in March after a sharp decline last month when the automaker suspended sales of some recalled models.
  • AIG set for $15.5 bln deal with MetLife: report(AFP) (2010-03-08 09:46:20)
    AFP - US insurance giants American International Group and MetLife will on Monday announce a $15.5 billion deal for AIG's second-largest foreign life-insurance business, The Wall Street Journal reported.
  • Abu Dhabi pumps oil riches into media projects(AP) (2010-03-08 09:14:36)
    AP - With an economy based on pumping oil and landmarks that include one of the Mideast's grandest mosques, buttoned-down Abu Dhabi has little obvious in common with freewheeling media magnets like Hollywood or midtown Manhattan.
  • Oil rises above $82, extending Friday's gains(AP) (2010-03-08 09:11:34)
    AP - Oil prices rose above $82 a barrel Monday in Asia, extending gains from Friday amid signs the global economy may be improving.
  • FTSE 100 climbs at the open(AFP) (2010-03-08 08:48:08)
    AFP - Leading shares climbed at the start of trade on Monday following strong gains in Asia.
  • ABC returns to Cablevision, but talks go on(AP) (2010-03-08 08:45:26)
    AP - Cablevision and ABC were negotiating a deal Monday that tentatively ended a dispute over fees and restored millions of viewers' access to the Academy Awards telecast in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut shortly after the broadcast began.
  • World stocks up as US job data lift recovery hopes(AP) (2010-03-08 08:41:50)
    AP - World stock markets gained Monday as a better-than-expected report about the U.S. job market lifted confidence in the economic recovery.
  • Cities not on track with Calif high-speed rail(AP) (2010-03-08 08:41:22)
    AP - Mayor Art Brown spent years pushing for a commuter train station combined with nearby housing in his community. But as townhouses are being finished around the $14 million Metrolink station, he's facing the prospect that California's high-speed rail line may plow right through his beloved project.
  • AIG set for big deal with MetLife: report(AFP) (2010-03-08 06:34:41)
    AFP - US insurance giants American International Group and MetLife will announce a 15.5-billion-dollar deal Monday for AIG's second-largest foreign life-insurance business, The Wall Street Journal reported.
  • Oil rises to near $82, extending Friday's gains(AP) (2010-03-08 06:16:46)
    AP - Oil prices rose to near $82 a barrel Monday in Asia, extending gains from Friday amid signs the global economy may be improving.
  • Asia stocks up as US jobs data lift recovery hopes(AP) (2010-03-08 06:15:58)
    AP - Asian stocks gained Monday as a better-than-expected report about the U.S. job market lifted confidence in the economic recovery.
  • SKorean finance chief warns against rate increase(AP) (2010-03-08 06:13:03)
    AP - South Korea's finance minister warned Monday the country's economic recovery remains too fragile to withstand an increase in borrowing costs from a record low, cautioning the central bank just days ahead of a rate-setting policy meeting.
  • ABC restored to 3.1M customers after Oscars begin(AP) (2010-03-08 05:00:48)
    AP - Cablevision's 3.1 million subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut had their access to the Academy Awards telecast restored Sunday night after the cable operator reached a deal with ABC's parent company in a dispute over fees.
  • Asia stocks up as jobs data boosts recovery hopes(AP) (2010-03-08 04:45:50)
    AP - Asian stocks gained Monday as a better-than-expected report about the U.S. job market boosted confidence in the economic recovery.
  • MetLife set to buy AIG's Alico unit: sources(Reuters) (2010-03-08 03:39:43)
    Reuters - AIG was closing in on a deal on Sunday to sell its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife Inc for about $15.5 billion in cash and stock, leaving it with a substantial minority stake in MetLife, sources familiar with the matter said.
  • Mo'Nique, Waltz win supporting-acting Oscars(AP) (2010-03-08 03:03:43)
    AP - Villainous roles have snatched the supporting-acting prizes at the Academy Awards: "Precious" co-star Mo'Nique as a loathsome mother and "Inglourious Basterds" co-star Christoph Waltz as a sociable Nazi fiend.
  • WABC-TV back on for 3.1M customers as Oscars begin(AP) (2010-03-08 02:57:54)
    AP - Cablevision says WABC-TV's signal has been switched back on for its 3.1 million subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut shortly after the Academy Awards telecast got under way.
  • Days of "special" yuan policy numbered: China c.bank(Reuters) (2010-03-08 01:12:36)
    Reuters - China flagged on Saturday it will let the yuan resume its rise at some point as it unwinds the super-loose policies it has been pursuing to prop up the world's third-largest economy.
  • Europe ready to help Greece 'if necessary': Sarkozy(AFP) (2010-03-08 00:25:24)
    AFP - European governments are ready to help Greece pull itself out of its financial crisis "if necessary", French President Nicolas said Sunday following talks with the Greek prime minister.
  • AIG to get MetLife stake in $15 billion unit sale(Reuters) (2010-03-07 22:39:00)
    Reuters - American International Group Inc was closing in on a deal on Sunday to sell its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife Inc for about $15 billion in cash and stock, ultimately giving it more than 20 percent of MetLife, sources familiar with the matter said.
  • 'Alice' opens with $116.3 million, a 3-D record(AP) (2010-03-07 22:27:30)
    AP - Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's trip down the rabbit hole drew huge crowds, as "Alice in Wonderland" earned a whopping $116.3 million in its opening weekend — a record for a 3-D film.
  • Sarkozy to 'speculators': Lay off Greece(AP) (2010-03-07 21:57:58)
    AP - Speculators beware: The euro zone's biggest powers will back Greece through the debt crisis that has jeopardized all 16 nations in the common currency, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Sunday.
  • IMF sees faster African recovery from economic slump(AFP) (2010-03-07 20:51:32)
    AFP - African economies are recovering from the global downturn faster than the International Monetary Fund's forecasts, director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said Sunday.
  • Togo opposition claims fraud in presidential vote(AP) (2010-03-07 20:50:30)
    AP - Togo's top opposition candidate was pelted with tear gas for a second time Sunday as he vowed to take to the streets every day in protest of what he says was an election rigged to favor the son of the country's longtime dictator.
  • Toyota moves past apologies, aims for sales(AP) (2010-03-07 20:23:22)
    AP - New ads for troubled automaker Toyota Motor Corp. are skipping the apologies and easing back into sales pitches — too soon, some say.
  • `Alice' opens with $116.3 million, a 3-D record(AP) (2010-03-07 20:20:10)
    AP - Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's trip down the rabbit hole drew huge crowds, as "Alice in the Wonderland" earned a whopping $116.3 million in its opening weekend — a record for a 3-D film.
  • Summary Box: Economists clash, sow confusion(AP) (2010-03-07 20:08:58)
    AP - THE PROBLEM: A clash among Wall Streeters on the future of the economy and stocks is making investors nervous, confused.
  • Europe will stand by Greece: Sarkozy(Reuters) (2010-03-07 19:46:30)
    Reuters - French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised Greece on Sunday that euro zone countries would help it overcome its financial problems and vowed a crackdown on financial speculators Athens blames for its woes.
  • Sarkozy offers Greek support but no new measures(AP) (2010-03-07 19:35:21)
    AP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy offered Greece "resolute" European support Sunday and vowed to wage a determined fight to deter speculation against the euro.
  • Summary Box: Dollar, stock relationship ending(AP) (2010-03-07 19:29:47)
    AP - THE BREAKUP: During last year's big market rally, the dollar consistently fell on days when stocks rose, and vice versa. That hasn't been the case in the past three months.
  • Relationship over? Dollar, stocks break up(AP) (2010-03-07 19:23:41)
    AP - The relationship between the dollar and stocks that helped define last year's stock market rally is over.
  • Gas prices up 9.58 cents nationwide over 2 weeks(AP) (2010-03-07 18:56:20)
    AP - The average price of regular gasoline in the United States is up 9.58 cents over a two-week period to $2.73.
  • Obama's health care pitch to Democrats: Trust me(AP) (2010-03-07 18:03:17)
    AP - In private pitches to Democrats, President Barack Obama says he will persuade Congress to pass his health care overhaul even if it kills him and even if he has to ask deeply distrustful lawmakers to trust him on a promise the White House doesn't have the power to keep.
  • Bulls may run more from March 2009 lows(Reuters) (2010-03-07 16:13:26)
    Reuters - Bulls may get more room to run this week on the anniversary of the March 2009 lows -- if U.S. stock investors see more signs of stability after Friday's rally on smaller-than-expected job losses.
  • Haiti rebuilding plan expected this week(Reuters) (2010-03-07 16:07:31)
    Reuters - Government planners and international experts are racing to produce a blueprint this week to reconstruct Haiti's economy after the earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people and devastated its infrastructure.
  • Iceland votes 'no' to debt deal for collapsed bank(AP) (2010-03-07 13:22:50)
    AP - Voters in tiny Iceland defied their parliament and international pressure, resoundingly rejecting a $5.3 billion plan to repay Britain and the Netherlands for debts spawned by the collapse of an Icelandic bank.
  • Toyota could delay Europe new car launches: report(Reuters) (2010-03-07 12:45:03)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) could freeze new car launches this year if it is not satisfied the accelerator problem that forced a mass recall of its vehicles has been solved, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
  • Papandreou seeks French backing for debt crisis(AP) (2010-03-07 12:40:47)
    AP - Greek Prime Minster George Papandreou headed to Paris on Sunday, the third stop of a four-city tour seeking firmer European Union and U.S. support for harsh austerity measures that have sparked violent protests at home.
  • Portugal austerity plan has no wage cuts, tax hikes: reports(Reuters) (2010-03-07 12:27:14)
    Reuters - Portugal's long-term budget austerity plan encompasses spending cuts via reducing tax breaks and containing public sector wages, but entails no Greece-style wage cuts or tax hikes, local media said on Sunday.
  • Icelanders reject debt deal over collapsed bank(AP) (2010-03-07 12:23:13)
    AP - Almost-complete results show voters in Iceland have resoundingly rejected a $5.3 billion plan to pay back Britain and the Netherlands for debts caused by the collapse of an Icelandic Internet bank.
  • STIMULUS WATCH: Less stimulus for minority firms(AP) (2010-03-07 10:01:34)
    AP - Hispanic and black businesses are receiving a disproportionately small number of federal stimulus contracts, creating a rising chorus of demands for the Obama administration to be more inclusive and more closely track who receives government-financed work.
  • UAE's Dana Gas makes 2 new Egypt finds(AP) (2010-03-07 09:00:56)
    AP - Dana Gas said Sunday it had made two new gas discoveries in Egypt, finds that will further boost the United Arab Emirates-based producer's extensive holdings in the country.
  • 3.1M customers face Oscar night without broadcast(AP) (2010-03-07 08:45:59)
    AP - Millions of cable subscribers faced the prospect of Oscar night without the Academy Awards broadcast Sunday after ABC's parent company switched off its signal to Cablevision customers and the two companies blasted each other for failing to reach a deal in a dispute over fees.
  • Hollywood billboards taken down amid legal battle(AP) (2010-03-07 07:50:23)
    AP - Five giant billboards have been removed from buildings in Hollywood near the site of the Academy Awards after Los Angeles prosecutors charged four people and four companies with hanging the so-called supergraphics illegally.
  • Mitsubishi, Peugeot capital tie-up may happen(AFP) (2010-03-07 06:15:29)
    AFP - The president of Mitsubishi Motors has not ruled out a future capital tie-up with France's Peugeot, reports said Sunday.
  • Oscar party crash: No deal in Cablevision-ABC feud(AP) (2010-03-07 05:58:31)
    AP - ABC's parent company switched off its signal to Cablevision's 3.1 million customers in New York at midnight Saturday in a dispute over payments that escalated just hours before the start of the Academy Awards.
  • Partisan bickering in Washington is nothing new(AP) (2010-03-07 03:58:57)
    AP - The current partisan divide is as stark and nasty as any in recent history and on almost every issue — from health care to energy independence to reviving the economy — there's little or no effort to find common ground.
  • Midnight deadline looms in Cablevision-ABC feud(AP) (2010-03-07 02:49:11)
    AP - With a midnight deadline looming on a threat to pull the plug on Cablevision's 3.1 million customers in New York a day before the Academy Awards, there was still no word Saturday night on whether ABC's parent company and the cable operator have reached a decision.
  • A furious health care push — but what about jobs?(AP) (2010-03-07 00:21:10)
    AP - President Barack Obama's furious, final push to get a health care bill passed threatens to shove aside the message he promised would top his list this year: creating jobs.
  • China faces new pressure to let currency rise(AP) (2010-03-07 00:11:02)
    AP - China faces mounting pressure from trading partners to loosen currency controls and is giving signs it might raise the value of the yuan to ease strains on its fast-growing economy.
  • Early results: Iceland voters reject debt deal(AP) (2010-03-06 23:02:17)
    AP - Initial results show that most Icelandic voters have rejected a $5.3 billion plan to pay off Britain and the Netherlands for debts spawned by the collapse of an Icelandic Internet bank.
  • Glover: Help Ohio plant, shun Hugo Boss at Oscars(AP) (2010-03-06 22:39:54)
    AP - Actor and activist Danny Glover is calling on Academy Awards nominees and others in the film industry to not wear Hugo Boss suits at Sunday's awards ceremony.
  • Toyota disputes critic who blames electronics(AP) (2010-03-06 22:31:10)
    AP - Toyota Motor Corp. is trying to undercut allegations that its electronics systems caused the sudden acceleration problems that led to the recall of more than 8 million vehicles.
  • Obama turns up heat for health care overhaul plan(AP) (2010-03-06 21:41:34)
    AP - President Barack Obama is trying to persuade a weary public and wavering Democrats to get behind his frantic, late-stage push on health care, while Republicans dig in and demand starting from scratch after a year's worth of work.
  • Macedonia introduces new measures to fight global crisis: PM(AFP) (2010-03-06 21:29:54)
    AFP - Macedonia's government on Saturday unveiled a new set of anti-crisis measures in a bid to cope with the economic fallout from the global financial crisis.
  • Sarkozy announces loans for crisis-hit French farmers(AFP) (2010-03-06 20:52:30)
    AFP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Saturday an extra 800 million euros in subsidised loans for farmers hit by the financial crisis, taking to 1.8 billion euros a package for the sector.
  • In Europe, Volcker makes case for bank trading limits(Reuters) (2010-03-06 20:45:02)
    Reuters - Commercial banks will come to resemble hedge funds over time unless new rules are introduced setting limits on proprietary trading, White House economic adviser Paul Volcker said on Saturday.
  • Statement from ANGA on the Proposed Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act(PR Newswire) (2010-03-06 17:33:00)
    PR Newswire - Background: Yesterday, Gov. Bill Ritter, Xcel Energy and a coalition of lawmakers, energy companies and environmentalists announced agreement on the proposed Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act legislation that will lead the nation in cutting air pollution, creating jobs and increasing the use of cleaner energy sources.
  • AIG to get $231M if sale of Asian unit crumbles(AP) (2010-03-06 17:29:41)
    AP - American International Group Inc. will receive a termination fee of $230.6 million if the sale of its Asian life insurance business to Britain's Prudential PLC falls through.
  • Iceland expected to turn down bank failure repay(AP) (2010-03-06 16:18:42)
    AP - Economically struggling Icelanders resentful of international pressure were expected to vote down a $5.3 billion plan Saturday to pay off Britain and Holland for the debt spawned by the collapse of an internet bank.
  • Greek drama needs political solution, even IMF: Italy(Reuters) (2010-03-06 12:07:25)
    Reuters - The crisis in Greece affects the whole of Europe and requires a political solution, which could even include a role for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Italy's Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti said on Saturday.
  • Obama turns up the heat for health care overhaul(AP) (2010-03-06 11:08:42)
    AP - Facing a tough political environment, President Barack Obama on Saturday turned up the heat for the health care overhaul that has been his top priority for a year yet has not been passed by Congress.
  • China says it will move cautiously on currency(AP) (2010-03-06 09:07:33)
    AP - China's central bank governor acknowledged Saturday that Beijing is using its controversial exchange-rate controls to cope with the global economic crisis and said it will be cautious about retreating from the policy.
  • Merkel: No financial help for Greece(AP) (2010-03-06 05:21:52)
    AP - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has avoided giving debt-plagued Greece a commitment of financial assistance, as Athens was rattled by more strikes and violent protests by unions outraged by harsh economic austerity measures.
  • GM to pay vice chairman Girsky $5 million(Reuters) (2010-03-06 04:37:10)
    Reuters - General Motors will pay Stephen Girsky, recently appointed vice chairman in charge of corporate strategy and business development, around $5 million a year, mainly in stocks, the company said on Friday.
  • China says exports to fully recover in 2-3 years(AFP) (2010-03-06 03:42:20)
    AFP - China said Saturday it could take up to three years for its exports to return to pre-financial crisis levels, as the Asian powerhouse shifted its focus to domestic demand.
  • Congressional estimates show grim deficit picture(AP) (2010-03-06 02:20:24)
    AP - A new congressional report released Friday says the United States' long-term fiscal woes are even worse than predicted by President Barack Obama's grim budget submission last month.
  • Banks shuttered in Fla., Ill., Md., Utah(AP) (2010-03-06 02:15:50)
    AP - Regulators on Friday shuttered banks in Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Utah, boosting to 26 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year following the 140 brought down in 2009 by mounting loan defaults and the recession.
  • House panel: Toyota shows no proof yet of study(Reuters) (2010-03-06 01:47:56)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp has failed to support statements of top executives that the automaker has rigorously evaluated electronic throttles in its vehicles, Democratic leaders of a congressional committee said on Friday.
  • Runaway Toyotas: What's the Real Risk?(LiveScience.com) (2010-03-06 00:55:57)
    LiveScience.com - Toyota, the world's top-selling automaker, recently announced arecall of up to ten million of its vehicles over reports of suddenuncontrollable acceleration. But it's not clear exactly what theproblem is.
  • Holly Energy prices $150 million in senior notes(AP) (2010-03-06 00:23:57)
    AP - Holly Energy Partners LP said Friday that it has priced an offering of $150 million of senior debt due 2018.
  • Iowa economist predicts improvement by summer(AP) (2010-03-06 00:10:29)
    AP - A leading economist who advises Gov. Chet Culver predicted Friday that Iowa's economy will stay flat for much of the spring but should perk up by summer.
  • Summary Box: Relief over jobs report boosts stocks(AP) (2010-03-05 23:16:05)
    AP - JOB RELIEF: Stocks barreled higher Friday after the Labor Department said employers cut 36,000 jobs last month. That was fewer than forecast. Also, the unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent, while analysts had predicted an increase.
  • How the major stock indexes fared on Friday(AP) (2010-03-05 22:44:59)
    AP - Stocks jumped Friday after the government's employment report showed fewer jobs were cut in February than expected.
  • Snow job: Estimates of weather's impact miss mark(AP) (2010-03-05 22:44:23)
    AP - Armed with spreadsheets, mathematical formulas and historical comparisons, legions of economists sought to forecast the impact of last month's snowstorms on the government's employment report.
  • Pfizer CEO got $13.7 million in 2009 compensation(AP) (2010-03-05 22:39:06)
    AP - The chief executive of drug giant Pfizer Inc., Jeffrey Kindler, received a 2009 compensation package valued by The Associated Press at $13.7 million, down 7.6 percent from 2008, as the board reduced the stock awards he received, citing economic pressures.
  • Employment data lift hopes but where are the jobs?(AP) (2010-03-05 22:35:54)
    AP - At last, the unemployment crisis seems to be easing. That's the good news.
  • Recovery? Great. But where are the jobs?(AP) (2010-03-05 22:35:54)
    AP - At last, the unemployment crisis seems to be easing. That's the good news.
  • Stocks jump after better-than-expected jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 22:35:35)
    AP - Stocks jumped Friday after the government's employment report showed fewer jobs were cut in February than expected.
  • Norfolk Southern CEO makes $10.9 million in 2009(AP) (2010-03-05 22:21:57)
    AP - The CEO of Norfolk Southern Corp. received $10.9 million in compensation for 2009, 9 percent less than the prior year as the railroad operator grappled with the economic downturn, according to an Associated Press analysis of a regulatory filing Friday.
  • Economy 101: Hiring index nears turning point(AP) (2010-03-05 22:05:53)
    AP - An index that measures the breadth of hiring among private industries is nearing a turning point that could signal consistent job gains.
  • Consumer credit posts first rise in a year(Reuters) (2010-03-05 21:59:09)
    Reuters - Total U.S. consumer credit rose $4.96 billion in January, its first rise in a year and the largest for any month since mid-2008, Federal Reserve data showed on Friday.
  • Germany's Merkel meets Greece PM over debt bailout tensions(The Christian Science Monitor) (2010-03-05 21:57:00)
    The Christian Science Monitor - German Chancellor Angela Merkel met her Greek counterpart George Papandreou here tonight to discuss Greece’s financial crisis, as tensions rise over whether Germany will provide crucial support to an EU bailout for the heavily indebted Mediterranean country.
  • US consumer credit rises first time in a year(AFP) (2010-03-05 21:52:20)
    AFP - Borrowings by Americans rose for the first time in a year in January, the Federal Reserve said Friday in a sign that the US economic recovery is on track.
  • Treasury restates support for Fannie, Freddie(AP) (2010-03-05 21:51:40)
    AP - The Treasury Department was forced Friday to reiterate its financial support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after a key lawmaker rattled investors by pointing out that their debt does not enjoy the explicit guarantee of the federal government.
  • Payrolls data buoy job creation hopes(Reuters) (2010-03-05 21:46:03)
    Reuters - U.S. employers cut fewer jobs than expected during snow-battered February and the unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent, bolstering views the economy was on the brink of creating jobs.
  • Apple, Monster Worldwide, RCN are big movers(AP) (2010-03-05 21:38:53)
    AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Friday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
  • China's economic promises focus on creating jobs(AP) (2010-03-05 21:27:37)
    AP - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged Friday to redouble the country's stimulus program to focus on job creation, signaling that Beijing's main worry is keeping its factories humming and its restive workers making money from strong exports to the world.
  • Oil heads toward 2010 high(AP) (2010-03-05 21:24:27)
    AP - Energy prices jumped Friday as a government job report showed a smaller-than-expected loss, signaling a potential boost in gasoline demand.
  • Blount International 4Q earns drop 6 percent(AP) (2010-03-05 21:04:00)
    AP - Blount International Inc., which makers chains for saws, said Friday that its fourth-quarter earnings fell 6 percent as one-time costs outweighed a gain in sales.
  • GM to reinstate 600 dealerships slated to be cut(AP) (2010-03-05 20:32:12)
    AP - General Motors Co. will reinstate more than half the dealerships it targeted to drop from its network.
  • Consumer borrowing up in January after 11 declines(AP) (2010-03-05 20:27:48)
    AP - Consumer borrowing broke a record stretch of declines with a small increase in January as a boost in auto loans offset continued weakness in credit card borrowing.
  • S1 Corp. 4Q profit up 86 percent(AP) (2010-03-05 20:27:44)
    AP - Financial-services software provider S1 Corp. said Friday profit for the fourth quarter rose 86 percent as revenue improved and expenses fell.
  • Summary Box: Unemployment rate remains at 9.7 pct.(AP) (2010-03-05 20:26:48)
    AP - WORST OVER?: The jobless rate held at 9.7 percent in February, and the economy lost a net 36,000 jobs, a better-than-expected showing. Some economists had predicted deeper job cuts due to severe snowstorms.
  • A Fresh Look at Socially Responsible Mutual Funds(U.S. News & World Report) (2010-03-05 20:23:18)
    U.S. News & World Report - Most socially responsible mutual funds are born of a desire to help the environment, slow the spread of violence, or boycott certain practices. Parnassus Workplace (PARWX), on the other hand, sprang from between the covers of Fortune magazine.
  • Standard Motor Products 4Q loss narrows(AP) (2010-03-05 20:14:40)
    AP - Standard Motor Products Inc. said Friday that its fourth-quarter loss narrowed on higher sales to auto parts suppliers and lower costs.
  • GE's CEO declines bonus for 2nd year(AP) (2010-03-05 19:56:10)
    AP - General Electric Co. said Friday that Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt did not receive 2009 bonus, the second straight year he gave up extra pay as the industrial and financial conglomerate struggled with one of its worst years on record.
  • US rig count increases by 23(AP) (2010-03-05 19:27:56)
    AP - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 23 this week to 1,396.
  • A look at global economic developments(AP) (2010-03-05 19:22:48)
    AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Friday:
  • Financing of Airbus A400M appears resolved(AP) (2010-03-05 19:05:47)
    AP - The nations that ordered the Airbus A400M military transporter have agreed to pay euro3.5 billion (nearly $4.8 billion) more to address cost overruns and keep the troubled project alive, manufacturer EADS NV and the German Defense Ministry said Friday.
  • House panel says Toyota shows no proof yet of study(Reuters) (2010-03-05 18:52:30)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) has not adequately supported its contention that it has rigorously evaluated electronic throttle systems for possible problems, lawmakers said on Friday.
  • Earnings schedule for week of 03/07/10(AP) (2010-03-05 18:37:48)
    AP - Major companies tentatively scheduled to report quarterly earnings next week:
  • Coal companies surge on reports of BHP deal(AP) (2010-03-05 18:25:11)
    AP - Coal company stocks led a rally on Wall Street Friday after published reports said that a Japanese steel maker paid higher prices for coal than expected.
  • Merkel: No request by Greece for financial support(AP) (2010-03-05 18:17:15)
    AP - German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Greece has not made any request for financial support and is calling for an end to market speculation that the indebted country will fail.
  • Bulgarians have 200 mln euros in Swiss banks: tax chief(AFP) (2010-03-05 17:40:19)
    AFP - A stolen disk of Swiss banking data bought by Germany last week revealed that Bulgarian tax evaders held about 200 million euros in Swiss banks, Bulgaria's revenue agency chief said Friday.
  • FTSE 100 boosted by US job news(AFP) (2010-03-05 17:07:50)
    AFP - The FTSE 100 made solid gains Friday as better-than-anticipated data from the US showed that unemployment levels had stabilised at 9.7 percent.
  • House panel wants more Toyota acceleration details(AP) (2010-03-05 16:58:27)
    AP - A House committee on Friday questioned how rigorously Toyota has tested its vehicles for sudden acceleration, and asked the Japanese automaker for more records on the safety issues.
  • GM to restore U.S. dealers after arbitration(Reuters) (2010-03-05 16:46:56)
    Reuters - General Motors Co will begin notifying some of its 1,160 U.S. dealers marked for shutdown that their franchises will be restored after congressionally mandated arbitration, two sources briefed on the matter said on Friday.
  • Oil rseumes climb on US jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 16:44:20)
    AP - Oil and wholesale gasoline prices neared a high for 2010 on Friday as the government jobs report for February raised hopes that the slowly healing employment market may soon drive energy demand higher.
  • World stocks extend gains on upbeat US jobs news(AP) (2010-03-05 16:42:32)
    AP - World stock markets rose sharply Friday after better than expected U.S. jobs data reassured investors that the recovery in the world's largest economy remains on track.
  • General Growth shares rise in Big Board return(Reuters) (2010-03-05 16:37:05)
    Reuters - Shares of General Growth Properties rose on Friday, their first day back on the New York Stock Exchange, even as the U.S. mall owner operates under bankruptcy protection.
  • Ohio reports 10.8 pct unemployment rate for Jan.(AP) (2010-03-05 16:32:23)
    AP - Joblessness is holding steady in Ohio.
  • Oil prices rally above $82(AFP) (2010-03-05 16:24:25)
    AFP - Oil prices rebounded above 82 dollars on Friday as the market got a boost from better-than-expected US jobs data, traders said.
  • Lawmaker is working to improve loan modifications(AP) (2010-03-05 15:58:10)
    AP - A key lawmaker says he is working with banks, regulators and the Obama administration on ways to boost the government's struggling foreclosure prevention effort.
  • Clashes in Athens as Greek PM seeks EU debt help(AP) (2010-03-05 15:38:19)
    AP - The Greek parliament approved new spending cuts and taxes Friday aimed at defusing the country's debt crisis, while protesters opposed to the measures fought with police outside. Prime Minister George Papandreou headed abroad to seek European leaders' support for his efforts.
  • Iceland braces for consequences of Icesave vote(AP) (2010-03-05 15:37:13)
    AP - Amid allegations of bullying and profiteering by bigger nations, angry Icelanders are expected to deliver a resounding slap down this weekend to plans to use taxpayer money to pay off the tiny island nation's international debts.
  • US Apple iPad launch slightly delayed to April 3(AP) (2010-03-05 15:01:28)
    AP - The much-anticipated iPad tablet computer from Apple Inc. will start hitting U.S. store shelves on April 3, slightly later than originally planned.
  • Greek parliament approves austerity plan(AP) (2010-03-05 14:54:15)
    AP - Greek lawmakers have approved an austerity package to save euro4.8 billion ($6.52 billion) in budget costs and help reduce the country's crushing debt load.
  • Unemployment rate unchanged as 36K jobs lost(AP) (2010-03-05 14:52:55)
    AP - The unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent in February as employers shed 36,000 jobs, fewer than expected. The figures suggested the job market is slowly healing but that significant hiring has yet to occur.
  • Stocks rise after better-than-expected jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 14:48:33)
    AP - Stocks rose Friday after the government's employment report showed fewer jobs were cut in February than expected.
  • Oil hits seven-week high above $81 on jobs report(Reuters) (2010-03-05 14:23:46)
    Reuters - Oil rose to a seven-week high above $81 a barrel on Friday after a report showed the United States lost fewer jobs than expected in February and on signals China will maintain its economic stimulus measures.
  • Sarkozy signals bigger role for state in business(AP) (2010-03-05 14:04:40)
    AP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is bent on taking a bigger role in the running of French companies, summoning bank leaders to his Elysee palace on Friday to order them to boost lending to the economy and smaller companies.
  • Behind the Buzz About Mint(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-05 13:08:45)
    BusinessWeek - In Mint.com's creation story, as recounted on its Web site, founder Aaron Patzer started the free online personal finance service after a tedious session with Intuit's (NasdaqGS:INTU - News) Quicken budgeting software in 2005. It's a measure of Mint's success that any new complaints about Quicken should now be directed to Patzer himself. Tired of getting its clock cleaned by Mint, Intuit bought the site in 2009 and put Patzer in charge of its entire consumer finance operation. He must figure out how all the pieces will fit together -- while rejuvenating Intuit's aged Quicken franchise.
  • Finding the Humor in B-School(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-05 13:08:45)
    BusinessWeek - Welcome back, dear readers, to the third installment of Jonathan Stern's Adventures in Business School.In our last chapter, I was in the midst of what I described as the busiest time of my life.Now, as I sit here at my keyboard, mere hours from the start of my second quarter at the Anderson School of Management (Anderson Full-Time MBA Profile), I suppose it's time to reflect on the quarter I have just completed and, I hope, recovered from. The best way for me to do that is to address the questions friends and family ask me most. ...
  • Clashes at Greek protest against austerity(AP) (2010-03-05 12:08:00)
    AP - Clashes have broken out in central Athens during a protest outside parliament as lawmakers prepared to vote on austerity measures to deal with Greece's debt crisis.
  • German industrial orders post sharp rebound(AFP) (2010-03-05 11:44:26)
    AFP - German industrial orders posted a sharp rebound in January, gaining 4.3 percent from December and wiping away a slump that month as domestic orders soared in the biggest European economy.
  • FTSE 100 rises at the open(AFP) (2010-03-05 11:40:41)
    AFP - Leading shares rose in early trading on Friday following gains in Asian trading and overnight on Wall Street and as traders readied for key US jobs data.
  • Toyota chief urges company to 'restart'(AFP) (2010-03-05 11:09:46)
    AFP - Toyota's president swapped his business suit for a worker's uniform Friday as he sought to reassure workers and urge them to make a fresh start following the automaker's global mass recall crisis.
  • Ask AP: Tax credits, disposing of recalled goods(AP) (2010-03-05 11:00:45)
    AP - Toxic pet food. Lead-painted toys. Hazardous baby cribs. The sheer volume of recalled products makes you wonder: What happens to all that stuff after it's ordered off the shelves?
  • World stocks rally ahead of key US jobs news(AP) (2010-03-05 10:58:44)
    AP - World stock markets rose Friday as investors grew more confident about key U.S. jobs data later following some encouraging signals earlier this week and worries about the Greek debt crisis subsided following a successful bond issue.
  • Iceland braces for Icesave vote(AP) (2010-03-05 10:50:31)
    AP - Iceland is bracing for a public backlash against the use of taxpayer money to pay its international debts — the latest stumbling block in the tiny island's difficult struggle out of a deep recession.
  • Oil rises towards $81; China signals stimulus(Reuters) (2010-03-05 10:50:21)
    Reuters - Crude climbed toward $81 a barrel on Friday, approaching a seven-week high, after signals China will maintain its economic stimulus measures boosted hopes that strong growth will help drain excess oil supplies.
  • Greek PM seeks EU debt pledge as protests grow(AP) (2010-03-05 09:38:29)
    AP - Greek workers protesting painful state spending cuts closed down hospitals, schools and public transport Friday, as Prime Minister George Papandreou headed for talks with European leaders in search of concrete support through the debt crisis.
  • BAE Systems sells 10 percent stake in Saab AB(AP) (2010-03-05 09:22:10)
    AP - Defense contractor BAE Systems PLC said Friday it has sold a 10.25 percent stake in Swedish defense company Saab AB for 1.066 billion kronor ($149 million) as part of an ongoing divestment process.
  • Salzgitter posts 2009 pretax loss(AP) (2010-03-05 08:56:10)
    AP - German steelmaker Salzgitter AG says it had a pretax loss last year of euro497 million ($675 million) as a result of the economic downturn.
  • World stocks rise ahead of US jobs data(AP) (2010-03-05 08:51:33)
    AP - Global stock markets rose Friday amid hopes a key U.S. jobs report would show the world's largest economy was on track toward a sustainable rebound.
  • Australian court: Vioxx doubled heart attack risk(AP) (2010-03-05 08:10:15)
    AP - The once-popular painkiller Vioxx doubled the risk of heart attack and was unfit for consumption, an Australian court ruled Friday, awarding a man leading a class action suit against the drug's maker 287,000 Australian dollars ($259,000) in compensation.
  • Toyota: no evidence throttle fails in fixed cars(Reuters) (2010-03-05 06:22:30)
    Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp said a partial review of complaints of unintended acceleration after vehicles were repaired for accelerator pedal problems, had found no evidence of failure in the electronic throttle system or in the repairs.
  • Oil rises to near $81 ahead of key US jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 05:36:15)
    AP - Oil prices rose to near $81 a barrel Friday in Asia as crude traders followed equity markets higher ahead of a key U.S. jobs report.
  • Oil rises towards $81; China signals continued stimulus(Reuters) (2010-03-05 05:28:44)
    Reuters - Crude climbed on Friday, capping two consecutive weeks of trading above $80, after China signaled it would maintain its economic stimulus, rekindling hopes for accelerating growth to drain excess oil supplies.
  • Toyota holds rally with workers, dealers(AP) (2010-03-05 05:06:25)
    AP - Toyota President Akio Toyoda urged thousands of his employees Friday to work toward a new start and win back customer trust following safety lapses that have battered the world's biggest carmaker.
  • Snow expected to cloud February employment report(AP) (2010-03-05 05:01:42)
    AP - The government's closely watched monthly employment report will be unusually hard to read this time.
  • Asian markets gain ahead of US jobs report(AP) (2010-03-05 04:46:30)
    AP - Asian stock markets rose Friday amid optimism ahead of a key U.S. jobs report and as China said it will target economic growth of 8 percent this year.
  • U.S. reviewing more complaints Toyota fixes didn't work(Reuters) (2010-03-05 03:50:52)
    Reuters - U.S. regulators said on Thursday they were reviewing more than 60 complaints that fixes made on recalled Toyota Motor Corp vehicles for unintended acceleration had not solved the problem.
  • China promises strong growth in 'crucial year'(AP) (2010-03-05 03:49:03)
    AP - China's Premier Wen Jiabao promised strong growth this year and said the government will combat inflation and risks to banks to keep the rebound in the world's third-largest economy on track.
  • China eyes 11 percent industrial output growth this year(Reuters) (2010-03-05 03:41:51)
    Reuters - China must have 11 percent industrial output growth this year to achieve its GDP target of 8 percent, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong said on Friday.
  • Oil rises towards $81 as China signals continued stimulus(Reuters) (2010-03-05 03:38:20)
    Reuters - Crude edged up on Friday, capping two consecutive weeks of trading above $80, after China signaled it would maintain its economic stimulus, rekindling hopes for accelerating growth to drain excess oil supplies.
  • Rowdy protests target funding cuts at US campuses(AP) (2010-03-05 02:34:43)
    AP - Students staged raucous rallies to protest education funding cuts on college campuses nationwide Thursday, but some demonstrations got out of hand as protesters threw punches and ice chunks in Wisconsin and shut down a major freeway in California.
  • China expects 8 percent economic growth this year(AP) (2010-03-05 02:12:30)
    AP - China said Friday it will target economic growth of 8 percent this year, increase spending on social programs and direct more development money at ethnic areas.
  • ArcSight fiscal 3Q profit falls 57 percent(AP) (2010-03-05 00:56:30)
    AP - ArcSight, a provider of network security software and services, said Thursday that its fiscal third-quarter profit fell 57 percent as higher operating expenses overshadowed growth in product and maintenance sales.
  • Equity One reports jump in profit during 4Q(AP) (2010-03-05 00:46:18)
    AP - Shopping center owner Equity One Inc. said Thursday it posted a 71 percent increase in fourth-quarter funds from operations, reporting higher revenue and an income tax benefit.
  • Fewer discounts help U.S. stores weather February snow(Reuters) (2010-03-05 00:44:55)
    Reuters - U.S. retailers posted their best monthly sales performance since just before the recession started in 2007, as lean inventories meant they did not need to resort to steep discounts.
  • Fed's Bullard impatient about Fed rate pledge(Reuters) (2010-03-05 00:42:06)
    Reuters - A second senior Federal Reserve official on Thursday joined the ranks of those doubting whether the Fed should continue to commit to hold rates exceptionally low for an extended period, a sign pressures are building to drop the wording.
  • Xinhua: China expects 8 percent growth this year(AP) (2010-03-05 00:38:34)
    AP - China said Friday it will target economic growth of 8 percent this year, avoiding any slip after it rebounded last year from the world economic crisis.
  • Citigroup's string of bailouts, at a glance(AP) (2010-03-05 00:38:23)
    AP - Citigroup Inc. CEO Vikram Pandit appeared in Washington on Thursday to tell bailout overseers that today's Citi is not the tangled behemoth that required more than $45 billion from the government to survive the financial crisis.
  • Rowdy protester target funding cuts at US campuses(AP) (2010-03-05 00:20:55)
    AP - Students staged raucous rallies on nationwide college campuses Thursday in protests against deep education cuts that turned violent as demonstrators threw punches and ice chunks in Wisconsin and blocked university gates and smashed car windows in California.
  • MetLife near $15 billion deal for AIG unit(Reuters) (2010-03-04 23:12:20)
    Reuters - A tax question holding up American International Group Inc's sale of its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife Inc is expected to be resolved favorably, clearing the way for a roughly $15 billion deal, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
  • US, India set to launch economic partnership(AFP) (2010-03-04 23:10:15)
    AFP - The United States and India will launch an economic and financial partnership next month, with a permanent cabinet-level bilateral dialogue a key feature, the US Treasury said Thursday.
  • How the major stock indexes fared on Thursday(AP) (2010-03-04 23:09:58)
    AP - Optimism about the government's February jobs report sent the Dow Jones industrials back into the black for 2010. Stocks ended Thursday with a moderate advance after managing only small moves for much of the day. Investors seemed to set aside concerns about the day's mixed economic reports and focus instead on the Labor Department's jobs report, due Friday morning.
  • AP IMPACT: Toyota secretive on 'black box' data(AP) (2010-03-04 23:03:05)
    AP - Toyota has for years blocked access to data stored in devices similar to airline "black boxes" that could explain crashes blamed on sudden unintended acceleration, according to an Associated Press review of lawsuits nationwide and interviews with auto crash experts.
  • Business Highlights(AP) (2010-03-04 23:02:27)
    AP - Economy showing strength as retail sales climb
  • Canada regulator OKs TransCanada shale gas plan(Reuters) (2010-03-04 23:02:17)
    Reuters - Regulators on Thursday conditionally approved TransCanada Corp's plan for a C$200 million ($194 million) pipeline, the first federally regulated shale gas transport system in Western Canada.
  • US House passes 15-billion-dollar jobs bill(AFP) (2010-03-04 23:01:00)
    AFP - The House of Representatives passed Thursday a 15-billion-dollar bill to help reduce the stubbornly high US unemployment rate, which has held for several months at nearly 10 percent.
  • House passes jobs bill despite doubts(AP) (2010-03-04 23:00:54)
    AP - Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it will create many jobs, the House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax break. The measure passed 217-201 on a mostly party-line vote. The bill also extends federal highway programs through the end of the year.
  • Bell Microproducts shares climb after 4Q report(AP) (2010-03-04 22:54:35)
    AP - Shares of Bell Microproducts Inc. jumped Thursday after the computer products distributor reported a fourth-quarter profit as revenue rose and operating expenses shrank.
  • Dow erases its loss for 2010 ahead of jobs report(AP) (2010-03-04 22:40:33)
    AP - Optimism about the government's February jobs report sent the Dow Jones industrials back into the black for 2010.
  • Mortgage rates fall below 5 percent(AP) (2010-03-04 22:39:26)
    AP - Mortgages rates have dipped below 5 percent again, four weeks before a government program that is helping keep rates low is scheduled to run out.
  • Retail sales post strongest gains since late 2007(AP) (2010-03-04 22:28:18)
    AP - Shoppers returned to the nation's malls last month, buying a surprising amount of spring clothing and other items and helping stores post the strongest retail sales since November 2007, a month before the recession began.
  • Higher used-car prices cut loan-security losses(AP) (2010-03-04 21:59:44)
    AP - Higher prices for used vehicles and improved buyer credit are helping mitigate losses on prime auto loan asset-backed securities, Fitch Ratings said Thursday.
  • Summary Box: Strong February sales(AP) (2010-03-04 21:50:55)
    AP - FEBRUARY'S SALES GAINS: Retailers reported a 3.7 percent sales gain, the strongest performance since November 2007, a month before the start of the recession, according to a trade group.
  • Summary Box: Reports show economy gaining strength(AP) (2010-03-04 21:45:38)
    AP - SIGNS OF LIFE: The economy is showing strength as retail sales surged in February by the largest amount since November 2007, factory orders rose and jobless claims dropped.
  • Wendy's/Arby's, Abercrombie & Fitch are big movers(AP) (2010-03-04 21:41:18)
    AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
  • Greece issues bond, faces opposition to aid schemes(AFP) (2010-03-04 21:39:11)
    AFP - Greece successfully launched Thursday a five-billion-euro bond issue to raise desperately needed funds, but faced stiffening opposition to its plea for help and threat to go to the IMF.
  • House passes tax breaks for new hires(AP) (2010-03-04 21:01:44)
    AP - Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it'll create many jobs, the House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax break.
  • Orbitz Worldwide names 2 new directors(AP) (2010-03-04 20:52:55)
    AP - Online travel retailer Orbitz Worldwide Inc. said Thursday that it has named Martin Brand and Brad Gerstner to its board of directors, effective immediately.
  • Morton's reports losses, but outlooks boost shares(AP) (2010-03-04 20:49:53)
    AP - Shares of Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. climbed Thursday after the restaurant operator forecast better profit for its fiscal first quarter and full year than analysts expected.
  • Summary Box: Warrant auction raises $1.54 billion(AP) (2010-03-04 20:33:31)
    AP - WARRANT SALE: The Treasury Department received $1.54 billion in an auction of warrants it had received for providing support to Bank of America during the financial crisis.
  • Moody's upgrades ratings of Flowserve(AP) (2010-03-04 20:33:10)
    AP - Moody's Investors Service on Thursday upgraded Flowserve Corp.'s corporate family rating, saying that the maker of pumps, valves and mechanical seals is showing it can weather the recession.
  • Stocks trade in tight range ahead of jobs report(AP) (2010-03-04 20:32:03)
    AP - Stocks edged higher Thursday ahead of the government's February jobs report.
  • California GOP U.S. Senate race focusing on . . . Israel?(McClatchy Newspapers) (2010-03-04 20:17:00)
    McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — California is broke, its 12.1 percent unemployment rate is among the highest in the nation, housing prices have plunged, home foreclosures have skyrocketed and a drought is threatening the state's dwindling water supply. There also are plenty of other issues for would-be U.S. senators to debate, including the battered economy and a massive effort to overhaul the nation's health care system.
  • AIG units settle mortgage discrimination case(Reuters) (2010-03-04 19:59:57)
    Reuters - Two AIG units settled federal charges that they discriminated against black home buyers on fees for mortgages and will pay $7.1 million for restitution and education efforts, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday.
  • Chrysler names new executives(AP) (2010-03-04 19:31:55)
    AP - Chrysler Group LLC on Thursday named new heads of regulatory affairs and international product planning.
  • Economy showing strength as retail sales climb(AP) (2010-03-04 19:06:12)
    AP - The economy is showing renewed strength as retail sales surged last month and factory orders also increased. Yet there's little evidence such growth will lead to more hiring soon — unless recent gains in consumer spending force companies to add workers.
  • Greece says bond 3 times oversubscribed(AP) (2010-03-04 18:46:42)
    AP - Greece says it has raised badly needed cash with a new bond issue, passing a key test of its ability to avoid a disastrous debt default and dig out of a financial crisis that has shaken the European Union.
  • Citi CEO says bank has transformed since crisis(AP) (2010-03-04 18:32:46)
    AP - Facing sharp questions from bailout overseers, Citigroup Inc. CEO Vikram Pandit said Thursday the bank is "fundamentally different" than the tangled behemoth that took more than $45 billion in government aid during the recent financial crisis.
  • Suntech posts $50M profit in 4th quarter(AP) (2010-03-04 18:28:52)
    AP - Suntech Power Holdings Co. on Thursday said the company earned nearly $50 million in the fourth quarter after reducing expenses while boosting shipments of solar products to the U.S. The company posted a loss in the same period of 2008.
  • Aeropostale says spring line lifted February sales(AP) (2010-03-04 18:23:47)
    AP - Teen clothing retailer Aeropostale Inc. said Thursday a key sales measurement grew in February due to strong spring sales.
  • Ruined Yukos seeks billions from Russia at rights court(AFP) (2010-03-04 18:15:27)
    AFP - Executives from defunct oil giant Yukos told Europe's top rights court Thursday that Russia had waged an illegal campaign to drive the company to bankruptcy, in a multi-billion-dollar claim.
  • FTSE 100 closes lower(AFP) (2010-03-04 18:13:33)
    AFP - The FTSE 100 stock exchange closed slightly down on Thursday after an uneven set of US economic data and as investors tried to get the measure of the latest twists in the Greek debt crisis, dealers said.
  • ECB chief hails Greek austerity measures, sees limited IMF role(AFP) (2010-03-04 17:43:25)
    AFP - European Central Bank head Jean-Claude Trichet praised new Greek austerity measures Thursday but gave short shrift to a possible bid for IMF help that Athens said it had to consider.
  • Bank of America warrants sale raises $1.54 billion(AP) (2010-03-04 17:35:55)
    AP - The Treasury Department has received a record $1.54 billion from the sale of warrants it received from Bank of America as part of the support it provided during the financial crisis.
  • AIG units settle discrimination charges(Reuters) (2010-03-04 17:25:36)
    Reuters - Two AIG units settled federal charges that they discriminated against blacks in providing home loans and will pay at least $7.1 million for restitution and education efforts, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
  • EU wary of Greece seeking IMF help(AP) (2010-03-04 17:04:42)
    AP - Who's afraid of the IMF? Greece is betting that the major European Union powers just might be.
  • Stocks falter after drop in pending home sales(AP) (2010-03-04 16:48:58)
    AP - Stocks are clinging to a tight range after an unexpected drop in pending home sales raised new concern about the economy.
  • Small-Business Tax Breaks in 2010(U.S. News & World Report) (2010-03-04 16:48:19)
    U.S. News & World Report - This year, taxes on small-business owners are under particular scrutiny. They're getting so much attention because Congress is currently debating a jobs bill with multibillion-dollar tax credits for small businesses. Last week, the Senate passed a bill with a payroll tax holiday for business owners and their employees and an extension of a tax deduction on capital expenditures. The payroll tax holiday--dubbed the Hire Now Tax Cut--allows an employer to forgo payroll tax on any unemployed person hired by the firm this year.
  • Jobless claims drop, retail sales climb(AP) (2010-03-04 16:36:11)
    AP - New claims for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that layoffs may be easing as the economy slowly recovers.
  • The Future of Home-Price Appreciation(U.S. News & World Report) (2010-03-04 16:18:36)
    U.S. News & World Report - After its historic decline brought the global economy to its knees, the U.S. housing market is gearing up for a long-awaited recovery. Real estate experts expect home prices to hit bottom in late 2010 or early 2011 before--finally!--heading north again. But what shape will the rebound take? Are we in for another boom? Or will we have to settle for sluggish growth? Here's the outlook for home price appreciation through 2020.
  • ECB holds rates, withdrawing some crisis measures(AP) (2010-03-04 16:06:12)
    AP - The European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1 percent for the tenth month running Thursday and confirmed that it will keep scaling back crisis lending measures even though the economy in the 16 countries that use the euro is barely growing.
  • Retailers report strong gains for February(AP) (2010-03-04 15:28:42)
    AP - Shoppers shrugged off the snow and worries about the economy to buy spring clothing and other items at the nation's malls, resulting in the strongest retail sales gain since November 2007, a month before the recession started.
  • Ross Stores key sales figure up 11 percent in Feb.(AP) (2010-03-04 15:13:06)
    AP - Discount retailer Ross Stores Inc. said Thursday that a key sales figure rose 11 percent in February, surpassing Wall Street's expectations.
  • Pending home sales fall 7.6 pct. in Jan(AP) (2010-03-04 15:06:47)
    AP - The number of buyers who agreed to purchase previously occupied homes fell sharply in January, a sign that demand for housing is sinking this winter, especially after stormy weather hit much of the country.
  • Factory orders post 1.7 percent January rise(AP) (2010-03-04 15:04:32)
    AP - Orders to U.S. factories posted the biggest increase in four months in January, led by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft. The increase was another sign that manufacturing is helping to support the economic recovery.
  • (AP) (2010-03-04 15:01:49)
    AP - Factory orders, led by aircraft, advance 1.7 percent in January, biggest gain in four months.
  • Stocks rise early on upbeat retail sales(AP) (2010-03-04 14:50:05)
    AP - Stocks rose in early trading Thursday after retailers reported better-than-expected February sales and Wal-Mart increased its dividend.
  • Greece issues bond, raises IMF appeal as strikes hit(AFP) (2010-03-04 14:32:22)
    AFP - Greece faced rising protests against fresh austerity measures on Thursday and said it could appeal for help to the IMF as it issued a 10-year bond vital to its debt repayment efforts.
  • Jobless claims drop, productivity revised higher(AP) (2010-03-04 14:17:07)
    AP - New claims for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that layoffs may be easing as the economy slowly recovers.
  • Primedia posts lower 4Q profit, sales(AP) (2010-03-04 14:16:54)
    AP - Primedia Inc., which publishes consumer guides mainly for apartments and other rental properties, said Thursday its fourth-quarter net income dropped sharply as the economic downturn hurt advertising revenue.
  • Wendy's/Arby's 4Q loss narrows(AP) (2010-03-04 14:08:04)
    AP - Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc., the fast-food chain that owns Wendy's and Arby's, said Thursday that its fourth-quarter loss narrowed, even though one-time costs continued to dragged down results.
  • Fewer discounts help stores weather February snow(Reuters) (2010-03-04 13:57:10)
    Reuters - Most U.S. retailers posted better-than-expected February sales as leaner inventories resulted in more sales at full price, but record-setting snow in much the eastern part of the country curbed gains.
  • Geneva auto show opens 80th edition to public(AP) (2010-03-04 13:42:55)
    AP - The 80th Geneva Motor Show opened its doors to the public Thursday, offering a note of optimism and fun after two difficult years for the industry.
  • Housing: Hope on the Horizon(BusinessWeek) (2010-03-04 13:08:45)
    BusinessWeek - You would think the nation's biggest homebuilders would be writhing in pain right about now. Sales of new single-family homes sank in January to the lowest seasonally adjusted rate in nearly five decades of record keeping and are now off 78% from the housing market's frothy peak in 2005.
  • Dex One posts larger 4Q loss, weighed by charges(AP) (2010-03-04 13:05:10)
    AP - Dex One Corp., the marketing services company formerly known as R.H. Donnelley, posted a larger fourth-quarter net loss Thursday, dragged down by impairment charges and lower revenue.
  • Retailers report gains for February(AP) (2010-03-04 13:03:20)
    AP - Many retailers are reporting solid sales gains for February, even in the face of falling consumer confidence and heavy snowstorms that hammered the East Coast.
  • European Central Bank leaves rate at 1 pct(AP) (2010-03-04 13:02:54)
    AP - The European Central Bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1 percent as markets wait to see if it will scale back special lending to banks introduced during the financial crisis.
  • Yukos tells court: Russia sought to destroy us(AP) (2010-03-04 12:47:44)
    AP - The Russian government deliberately sought to "destroy" the now-defunct oil giant Yukos, a lawyer for the company argued Thursday before the European Court of Human Rights.
  • European stocks drift ahead of bank statements(AP) (2010-03-04 11:26:36)
    AP - European stock markets fell modestly Thursday as investors awaited the latest policy statements from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England and digested the news that Greece is looking to raise euro5 billion ($6.8 billion) from bond markets to finance its debt.
  • Greece offers key new bond issue(AP) (2010-03-04 11:00:33)
    AP - Greece launched a critical 10-year bond issue on Thursday, a day after winning approval from markets and the European Union for painful austerity measures designed to lift the debt-ridden country out of its financial crisis.
  • Europe's economic recovery stalls: EU(AFP) (2010-03-04 10:33:53)
    AFP - Europe's economic recovery has stalled, new data showed on Thursday, with heavyweight Germany grinding to a standstill in the fourth quarter of 2009 despite gains for France and Poland.
  • Shipper A.P. Moller-Maersk posts annual loss(AP) (2010-03-04 10:12:30)
    AP - Danish container shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S on Thursday reported an annual loss of 7.0 billion kroner ($1.3 billion), citing a drop in global shipments of goods amid the economic crisis.
  • Some Dems are wary of Obama's final health push(AP) (2010-03-04 10:05:21)
    AP - Rank-and-file Democrats in Congress remain wary of health care legislation in spite of President Barack Obama's closing argument for overhauling the system, well aware that success is far from assured and political perils abound.
  • Clinton in Costa Rica for regional ministers' meet(AFP) (2010-03-04 09:55:31)
    AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived early Thursday in Costa Rica to meet the country's leaders as well as ministers from Latin America to discuss economic and democracy issues.
  • Supermarket operator Ahold profit drops in Q4(AP) (2010-03-04 09:54:53)
    AP - Royal Ahold NV, the Dutch owner of the Stop & Shop and Giant supermarket chains in the US, reported an 8.2 percent fall in profit for the fourth quarter on Thursday.
  • Greece seeks German solidarity but no direct aid(AP) (2010-03-04 09:07:27)
    AP - Greece needs a strong vote of confidence from Germany and other European nations but hasn't sought direct financial aid and believes it can overcome its debt crisis alone, a senior Greek official said Thursday.
  • Oil falls to near $80 after 2-day jump(AP) (2010-03-04 08:44:28)
    AP - Oil prices fell to near $80 a barrel Thursday in Asia after a two-day jump fueled by growing investor optimism that global crude demand is recovering.
  • AB InBev sees flat beer sales(AP) (2010-03-04 08:29:10)
    AP - The world's largest brewer and maker of Budweiser reported Thursday a fourth quarter profit of $1.28 billion, helped by cost cuts and price hikes, but said beer sales were stagnant and forecast no improvement in 2010.
  • House to vote on tax breaks for new hires(AP) (2010-03-04 08:22:53)
    AP - A measure blending highway funding eagerly sought by the states with tax breaks for companies that hire unemployed workers appeared headed for House passage Thursday as Democrats work to send President Barack Obama the first of several promised election-year jobs bills.
  • Union activists occupy finance ministry in Athens(AP) (2010-03-04 07:51:36)
    AP - Members of a labor union occupied Greece's finance ministry building in central Athens early Thursday, hanging a massive banner from the top to protest harsh new austerity measures designed to pull the country out of its financial crisis.
  • GDF Suez makes $6.15B profit in 2009, flat on year(AP) (2010-03-04 07:43:53)
    AP - French utility GDF Suez SA said Thursday that profits were little changed last year and that it is well placed to benefit from the economic recovery.
  • Asian shares fall on Greece, global outlook(Reuters) (2010-03-04 07:41:36)
    Reuters - Asian shares failed to hold on to their early gains on Thursday, slipping into negative territory as worries about Greece and the outlook for the global economy made investors cautious.
  • China announces 7.5 pct jump in defense spending(AP) (2010-03-04 06:22:53)
    AP - China announced Thursday a planned 7.5 percent boost in defense spending this year, a smaller increase than expected and the first time in more than two decades the jump has been less than double-digits.
  • Bank of England in 'wait and see' mode(AP) (2010-03-04 05:49:44)
    AP - The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates at a record low of 0.5 percent and take no further action on purchasing assets to boost the money supply when it announces its monthly monetary policy decision later Thursday.
  • Asia stocks fall after Fed points to slow recovery(AP) (2010-03-04 05:32:33)
    AP - Asian stock markets fell Thursday after the U.S. central bank signaled recovery in the world's largest economy would be slow.
  • Yukos vs Russia face off in European court(AP) (2010-03-04 05:14:40)
    AP - Thousands of miles (kilometers) from the Siberian jail where its founder is imprisoned, representatives of the ruined Russian oil giant Yukos and the Russian government will meet face to face for the first time at the European Court of Human Rights this week as the dismantled company seeks to prove that its rights were violated.
  • Thailand offers tourists free insurance(AP) (2010-03-04 04:58:10)
    AP - Thailand is continuing to offer insurance coverage worth $10,000 to anyone harmed in riots and demonstrations as it seeks to attract tourists scared off by political turmoil, officials say.
  • Oil hovers below $81 after 2-day jump(AP) (2010-03-04 04:45:11)
    AP - Oil prices hovered below $81 a barrel after a two-day jump fueled by growing investor optimism that global crude demand is recovering.
  • Indonesia lawmakers back criminal probe on bailout(AP) (2010-03-04 04:42:54)
    AP - Indonesian's parliament called for a criminal investigation into a $715 million government bank bailout in a vote that a newspaper described Thursday as a major blow to President Suslio Bambang Yudhoyono.
  • Comtech says 2Q profit climbed, cuts 2010 forecast(AP) (2010-03-04 04:33:26)
    AP - Comtech Telecommunications Corp. said Wednesday that its fiscal second-quarter profit climbed, but the communications equipment maker reported revenue below analyst expectations and cut its first-quarter guidance.
  • Toyota sued over deaths in key California crash(Reuters) (2010-03-04 03:11:47)
    Reuters - Relatives of a California state trooper and three family members whose fatal car wreck helped spark Toyota's wide-ranging safety recall have sued the automaker for defects they say caused the vehicle to speed out of control and crash.
  • Toyota Prius tops Japan sales despite recall woes(AP) (2010-03-04 03:04:22)
    AP - Toyota's Prius remains the top-selling car in Japan despite the automaker's global recall woes that included braking problems with the hit hybrid.
  • Bankruptcy court gives General Growth more time(AP) (2010-03-04 02:44:33)
    AP - Shopping mall operator General Growth Properties Inc. will have four more months to sort out its exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and weigh buyout offers.
  • DivX 4Q results better than expected; shares rise(AP) (2010-03-04 01:03:40)
    AP - Video technology company DivX Inc. reported an adjusted profit well above Wall Street expectations on Wednesday and issued guidance that was also better than expected. Its shares jumped in late trading.
  • Asian markets move in tight range after Fed report(AP) (2010-03-04 00:58:10)
    AP - Asian markets traded in a tight range early Thursday after the latest Greek budget cuts offered hope it would get a bailout and the Federal Reserve signaled that the U.S. economic recovery will be slow.
  • Drivers complain that Toyota's fixes didn't work(AP) (2010-03-04 00:56:41)
    AP - At least 15 Toyota drivers have complained to U.S. safety officials that their cars sped up by themselves even after being fixed under recalls for sticky gas pedals or floor mat problems, according to an Associated Press analysis.
  • U.S. investigates complaints about Toyota recall fix(Reuters) (2010-03-04 00:48:13)
    Reuters - U.S. regulators on Wednesday reviewed 10 complaints that fixes made to recalled Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) vehicles did not resolve unintended acceleration.
  • Inspector: US fishery officer shredded documents(AP) (2010-03-04 00:39:03)
    AP - The inspector general for the U.S. Department of Commerce says the nation's top fishery law enforcement officer destroyed documents while his office was under investigation.
  • Charging fees for Hulu comes with its own problems(AP) (2010-03-04 00:23:46)
    AP - Hulu's days as a free online video site could be ending soon.
  • Rangel departure highlights undone tax agenda(AP) (2010-03-04 00:13:01)
    AP - Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., picked a busy time to temporarily step aside as chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee. A host of tax cuts, most enacted in 2001 and 2003, are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. If Congress doesn't act, this is what taxpayers will face Jan. 1:
  • Bob Lutz, GM's 'ultimate car guy,' to retire(AP) (2010-03-04 00:02:48)
    AP - Bob Lutz, the longtime auto industry executive who led nearly a complete overhaul of General Motors' lineup, will retire May 1.
  • American Equity execs to pay $1M in SEC probe deal(AP) (2010-03-03 23:49:36)
    AP - American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. on Wednesday said two top executives will pay more than $1 million in penalties as part of a settlement of a Securities and Exchange Commission inquiry into disclosures on a company proxy statement.
  • Stocks end mixed as Fed points to slow recovery(AP) (2010-03-03 22:58:59)
    AP - Early gains in stocks unraveled Wednesday after the Federal Reserve signaled that the economic recovery will be slow.
  • Cbeyond net jumps 74 pct, topping forecasts(AP) (2010-03-03 22:54:10)
    AP - Cbeyond Inc., a technology and communications services provider, said Wednesday that its net income jumped 74 percent in the latest quarter despite a dropoff in the amount of money each customer spent.
  • S&P, Fitch lift Masco ratings outlook to "stable"(AP) (2010-03-03 22:39:23)
    AP - The ratings outlook for building products manufacturer Masco Corp. was lifted Wednesday to "Stable" from "Negative" by both Fitch and Standard & Poor's analysts, a reflection of an improving housing market.
  • Highlights from the Fed's latest economic survey(AP) (2010-03-03 22:28:21)
    AP - Highlights from the Federal Reserve's survey of economic conditions nationwide. The survey, released Wednesday and known as the Beige Book, is based on information collected from the Fed's 12 regional bank districts.
  • Fed: Economy grows, but snowstorms hurt some areas(AP) (2010-03-03 22:21:08)
    AP - The economy is growing slowly, but snowstorms crimped activity along the East Coast last month, according to a Federal Reserve report.
  • Hot Topic February sales fall 7 percent(AP) (2010-03-03 22:20:23)
    AP - Teen retailer Hot Topic Inc. on Wednesday said February sales fell 7 percent at stores open at least a year.
  • White House task force hears Puerto Rico grievances(Reuters) (2010-03-03 22:01:06)
    Reuters - Puerto Ricans told a White House task force on Wednesday that persistent wrangling over the U.S. Caribbean territory's political status was hampering solutions to its worsening social and economic problems.
  • Don't blame snow: Feb. jobs data likely to be weak(AP) (2010-03-03 21:59:32)
    AP - The February jobs report to be released Friday is likely to be bleak.
  • Filing: Ex-Birmingham mayor won $1.5M in jackpots(AP) (2010-03-03 21:46:27)
    AP - Tax returns show an ousted Alabama mayor won 555 electronic bingo jackpots at one casino and claimed gambling winnings of $1.5 million over three years.
  • U.S. to assume Toyota/GM joint venture pensions(Reuters) (2010-03-03 21:45:17)
    Reuters - The U.S. agency that insures corporate pensions will assume plans covering 5,800 workers and retirees of a joint venture in California between Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and General Motors Co that closes at the end of the month.
  • Data points to U.S. job market nearing rebound(Reuters) (2010-03-03 21:38:33)
    Reuters - Private jobs data and a Federal Reserve report showed glimmers of improvement in the U.S. labor market last month, considered key to propelling the economic recovery, while the U.S. services sector grew at its fastest pace since the recession began.
  • SEC: Miami couple defrauded Cuban-American elderly(AP) (2010-03-03 21:31:25)
    AP - The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a prominent Miami couple Wednesday with operating a $135 million Ponzi scheme through a real estate investment scam that defrauded hundreds of people, mostly elderly Cuban-Americans.
  • Fed seeks limit on credit card penalty fees(Reuters) (2010-03-03 21:09:15)
    Reuters - The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday proposed another new rule to strengthen consumer protections against abusive practices by credit card issuers, including limiting penalty fees and requiring them to reconsider past interest rate hikes.
  • US economy expands, labor market soft: Fed(AFP) (2010-03-03 19:33:52)
    AFP - The US economy continued to expand modestly on the back of consumer spending but the labor market remained bleak, the Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book report Wednesday.
  • SEC charges Miami couple in Ponzi scheme(Reuters) (2010-03-03 18:50:10)
    Reuters - U.S. securities regulators charged a prominent Miami couple on Wednesday with running a $135 million Ponzi scheme that victimized elderly Cuban-Americans living in South Florida.
  • European stocks dip with all eyes on Greece(AFP) (2010-03-03 11:45:06)
    AFP - Europe's main stock market dipped on Wednesday as investors tracked the latest developments surrounding Greece's debt crisis and digested economic and earnings data.
  • Synovus Financial facing informal SEC inquiry: filing(Reuters) (2010-03-03 05:30:01)
    Reuters - U.S. southeast regional bank Synovus Financial Corp said it is facing an informal inquiry from the U.S. securities regulator, filings show.
  • Ctrip.com to sell 5.7 million US shares(AP) (2010-03-02 23:57:53)
    AP - Ctrip.com International Ltd., which sells travel in China, said on Tuesday that it would sell 5.7 million American depositary shares, which will represent one-quarter of an ordinary share in the company.