Swaps Come Under Fire
The EU is considering a ban on speculative derivative trades, including credit default swaps, which have been blamed for worsening the crisis in Greece....More
WSJ.com: US Business
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:32:44 ESTBuild America Bonds Pay Off on Wall Street
Bond underwriters handling the Obama administration-backed Build America bonds have collected more than $1 billion in fees so far....More
Studio Creditors' Plan B
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer creditors are signaling that they would rather convert their debt to equity than sell for an unsatisfactory price. ...More
More Wore Wires in Galleon Case
Prosecutors equipped several cooperating witnesses with recording devices to try to obtain information about targets in the Galleon insider-trading probe....More
Runaway Prius Tale Prompts New Probe
Toyota and federal investigators probed the latest report of sudden acceleration, a dramatic incident on a California highway that ricocheted around the Internet....More
AIG's Rankings Will Weigh on Pay
American International Group is basing bonuses and incentive pay on its new "forced ranking" system that measures the performances of about 10,000 employees....More
Ingersoll Bars Units From Iran Sales
Ingersoll-Rand said it has prohibited non-U.S. subsidiaries from selling products to customers in Iran, following similar moves by Caterpillar, GE and Siemens....More
RBS Boosts Banking Staff in U.S.
RBS's U.S. global banking and markets unit increased staff levels by 4% last year and plans to continue hiring, in an illustration of how insulated its transatlantic business has been from a departure of employees in the U.K....More
Barclays on the Hunt in the U.S.
The U.K. bank is seeking a retail lender that would give it more deposits and extend the presence of Barclays Capital in the U.S....More
Shares of Bailed-Out Firms Rally
Heavy trading sent shares of AIG, Citigroup, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac soaring amid no specific news from the companies. ...More
Fake Site Targets Madoff Victims
The Securities Investor Protection Corp warned of an imposter Web site mimicking its own page to target Madoff victims. ...More
Sony Plans TV, 3-D Push
The electronics giant will shift to "attack" mode by ramping up unit production and attempting to shore up market share, despite trailing rivals planning earlier 3-D models....More
Abbott to Buy Facet Biotech
Abbott Labs will bulk up its product pipeline with a $722 million deal for Facet Biotech, which had rebuffed overtures from development partner Biogen Idec....More
Intel Fosters Apps for Netbooks
Apple's app store dominates the smart-phone space, but Intel and PC makers like Dell and Acer see a chance to use a similar software store to defend an important new market—netbooks....More
Kroger: Rising Costs Hurt Profit
Second-largest U.S. grocery chain said fourth-quarter earnings fell 27% on higher costs as it offered a cautious outlook for the year. ...More
BofA Lawyers Rebuked in Cabi Case
BofA lawyers have agreed to reimburse lawyers for a Miami developer after a judge's rebuke for trying "to score a litigation point" in an ongoing foreclosure dispute....More
Neiman Ekes Out Profit
Upscale retailer swings to a $4 million second-quarter profit after steep write-downs weighed on year-ago results. ...More
Chevron Crude-Oil Refining Arm to Cut Staff
Chevron plans to eliminate about 2,000 positions this year from the company's crude-oil refining and marketing business....More
J.Crew Swings to Profit
Retailer J. Crew Group swung to a fourth-quarter profit and posted full-year earnings that exceeded pre-recession levels. ...More
Audi Sees Speedier Sales in 2010
Audi said net profit slumped 40% in 2009 as demand for luxury cars waned amid the economic downturn, but the premium brand is gearing up for a speedy recovery as it aims this year to sell more than a million cars. ...More
FDA Panel Backs InterMune Lung Drug
A Food and Drug Administration panel recommended the agency approve a proposed lung drug, pirfenidone, from InterMune for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis....More
Cable Companies Petition FCC
Cable operators are petitioning the FCC to prohibit broadcasters from yanking channels during fee negotiations, as happened in the recent Cablevision-Disney dispute over ABC....More
GM Initiates Talks With Dealers
The auto maker is contacting dealers slated to be dropped from its sales network to discuss settlement offers, an effort to avoid drawn-out arbitration with hundreds of franchise owners....More
India's Micro Industry to Share Data
India's top micro-finance institutions will join credit bureaus to ensure the world's poorest borrowers don't get overburdened with too many microloans....More
Murdoch Urges Free Press in Mideast
The News Corp. chief urged leaders in the U.A.E. and the wider Middle East to encourage greater press freedom and tolerate critical coverage in order to boost growth in the regional media industry. ...More
Cisco Touts Faster Web Router
Cisco unveiled a piece of equipment for the core of the Internet it says can transmit three times as much data as its current hardware, though its introduction won't directly translate into faster connections for consumers....More
Burger King Sales Slide
Burger King said U.S. and Canada same-store sales fell 8.2% in the U.S. and Canada during January and February, with about 3 percentage points of the decline attributed to harsh weather. ...More
'Club' Suit Dogs Buyout Firms
Private-equity firms are already haunted by some of the massive, money-losing "club deals" struck at the stock-market peak, such as one for Neiman Marcus. A long-running lawsuit is adding to the misery....More
EADS Swings to Full-Year Loss
Europe's leading aerospace company said it swung to a loss in 2009 as problem contracts weighed on earnings despite solid underlying results....More
Human Genome Director to Be Finance Chief
Human Genome Sciences tapped director David Southwell to be its new chief financial officer. ...More
Latest financial news - CNNMoney.com
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:30:22 ESTLifeLock settles with FTC for $12 million
Federal regulators said Tuesday that LifeLock has agreed to pay $12 million to settle charges the company made deceptive claims about its ability to protect customers from identity theft.
...More
Budget squeeze sours jobs picture
Another big employer is hanging out the "Not Hiring" sign.
...More
Cash for Clunkers: Better than we thought
The government's Cash for Clunkers program resulted in a far bigger boost to car sales than was previously estimated, even by the government, according to a new analysis by Maritz Research, an automotive market research company.
...More
Some execs get 'pity' bonus
Maybe you missed your earnings target last year or your stock was crushed. But if you're a corporate executive, that might not necessarily prohibit you from earning a generous bonus.
...More
Fears of a Greek bank run
In the middle of the 2001 debt crisis, Argentines stormed their nation's banks to get their money out. To stop the stampede, the government imposed controls that allowed them to take out only $250 at a time and limited withdrawals for overseas trips to $1,000.
...More
Cult soda maker Jones agrees to sharply discounted takeover
Jones Soda, the struggling maker of cult-favorite soft drinks, has agreed to be acquired by rival Reed's at a deep discount in a deal worth just shy of $10 million, the companies said Tuesday.
...More
House eyes last-minute tax break for Chile donations
Taxpayers may still be able to deduct last-minute donations to Chile earthquake relief from their 2009 taxes, if a bipartisan bill introduced in the House on Tuesday is signed into law.
...More
Oil falls as the dollar firms
Oil prices fell Tuesday as a stronger dollar overshadowed a modest advance on Wall Street.
...More
The Dow's best performer is ...
The hottest blue chip stock this year isn't what you think. It's not a big bank on the mend, a gadget maker with a hot new product, or a retailer with soaring sales.
...More
Cisco unveils ultra-fast Internet technology
Cisco unveiled a new Internet technology Tuesday that it says will provide the ultra-fast data speeds necessary to stay ahead of users' rapidly growing online video demands.
...More
U.S. minted more millionaires in 2009
America's millionaires are on the rise again, according to a report issued Tuesday, after their ranks thinned out during the 2008 market meltdown.
...More
Treasurys inch up amid strong demand for 3-year notes
Treasurys inched slightly higher Tuesday, in the midst of the government's $40 billion auction of 3-year notes -- the first of several multibillion-dollar note and bond offerings in the coming days.
...More
Sex.com domain goes up for grabs
Sex.com, one of the most valuable Internet domain names, will go up for auction next week after the previous owner defaulted on its debts.
...More
Natural gas crystals: Energy under the sea
It looks like ice -- but this ice could one day be used to heat your home.
...More
Toyota starts the long road back
Toyota fired another volley this week as it continued its fight to regain the confidence of owners shaken by reports of unintended acceleration.
...More
Chevron to cut 2,000 jobs
Chevron Corp., the second largest U.S. oil company, announced on Tuesday that it would cut 2,000 jobs this year amid challenging market conditions.
...More
Stocks muster gains; Nasdaq at 18-month high
Stocks managed gains Tuesday at the end of a choppy session as investors mulled the latest corporate deal and profit news on the anniversary of the bear-market bottom.
...More
Dollar mixed in quiet trading
The dollar recovered losses versus the euro and rose against the pound, but fell versus the yen in quiet trading Tuesday.
...More
Census jackpot: $500 billion a year in U.S. aid
Federal programs will dole out more than $500 billion a year over the next decade based on data collected through the 2010 Census, according to a study released Tuesday.
...More
What makes most admired companies different?
Practically every company I know wants to come out of the recession competitively stronger. Now, enough time has passed that we can see which demonstrably did and which dismally didn't.
...More
Yahoo! News: Business News
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:19:25 GMTJob openings up sharply in January to 2.7M (AP)
AP - Job openings rose sharply earlier this year, evidence that employers are slowly ramping up hiring as the economy improves.
...More
Obama: Greece, facing bad days, has US as ally (AP)
AP - President Barack Obama stood with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday and pledged that the United States would work with its ally, even as Greece's enormous debts sparked frenzied trading.
...More
Asian stock markets trade in narrow range again (AP)
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.
...More
Stock investors ask: What's the next big thing? (AP)
AP - A year after the stock market began its comeback from 12-year lows, investors are looking for the next big thing.
...More
Kan. mulling new soda tax, raising other levies (AP)
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....More
Gas price rises seen gentler on consumer wallets (AP)
AP - As the economy recovers, energy prices are rising and that is placing extra strain on families' budgets.
...More
China: US assets should not be 'politicized' (AP)
AP - An official in charge of China's foreign reserves tried to ease American concern Tuesday about the political impact of its huge holdings of U.S. government debt and indicated Beijing has no plans for a big increase in its gold stockpile.
...More
Britain's trade deficit widens (AP)
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....More
ICF International's 4Q net ticks higher (AP)
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....More
EU urges US to join in action against speculators (AP)
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....More
One Congressman's Solution for Boosting Small Businesses Loans (The Motley Fool)
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%....More
US seeks talks to avert trade war with Brazil (AFP)
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.
...More
Dollar General sues rival chain over colors (AP)
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....More
Commercial delinquency lower than other mortgages (AP)
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....More
Dozen centuries-old shipwrecks found in Baltic Sea (AP)
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.
...More
Feds to probe cause of runaway Prius in California (AP)
AP - The government sent investigators Tuesday to examine a Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway, and Toyota said it wanted to interview the driver as the besieged automaker dealt with a high-profile new headache that raised questions about the safety of its beloved hybrid.
...More
Chat Transcript: Undergraduate Ranking (BusinessWeek)
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. ......More
NYT > Business
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:11:01 GMTBank of America Plans to End Overdraft Fees on Debit Card Purchases
Customers who try to make purchases with their debit cards without enough money in their accounts will simply be declined.
...More
Demand for Lithium Is Poised to Take Off
As awareness spreads that lithium is an ingredient for hybrid cars, a hunt is under way for sources of the metal.
...More
European Leaders Call for Crackdown on Derivatives
The multiple, and at times seemingly conflicted roles, of investment banks like Goldman Sachs have also drawn scrutiny.
...More
Caution Rules as Wall Street Inches Forward
Investors remained reluctant to make significant moves without a clear sense of the recovery’s strength.
...More
LifeLock Settles With F.T.C. Over Deception Charges
The company, which claimed it could protect against identify theft, will pay $12 million and change its marketing campaign.
...More
Facebook Will Allow Users to Share Location
The social networking site plans to roll out features next month that will give its 400 million users the option of sharing their location with friends as part of their news feeds.
...More
Square Feet: New Airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International, to Open
Backers said Northwest Florida Beaches International would bring new businesses and residents to the Florida Panhandle; critics said it would also bring environmental problems.
...More
Square Feet: Landlords Show Tepid Response to Hourly Electricity Rates
Only about 100 of 790 buildings that are eligible for hourly prices have opted for the Con Ed service.
...More
U.K. Plan for Free Elderly Home Care Is a Hard Sell
Prime Minister Gordon Brown asserts that the programs would be fairer and reduce some costs at hospitals and nursing homes. But some critics see an election ploy.
...More
Cost Overruns Push EADS to a Loss for 2009
The net loss of $1.04 billion was the second blow in as many days for the planemaker, which confirmed that it would not bid for a contract to build tankers for the U.S. Air Force.
...More
Merck and Sanofi-Aventis Combine Animal Health Units
The combined business would jointly control about 29 percent of the $19 billion-a-year global market for medicines for pets and livestock.
...More
Chevron Plans to Cut 2,000 Jobs
The oil giant also said that it would sell some of its overseas operations, like the Pembroke refinery in Wales..
...More
Madoff Victims Warned of Fake Web Site
The Securities Investor Protection Corporation issued a warning about a group masquerading as another investor protection group in an apparent attempt to lure victims of Bernard L. Madoff.
...More
TV Providers Seek New Federal Rules on Retransmission Rights
With a petition to the F.C.C. and a letter to Congressional leaders, cable and satellite providers said the current rules were “broken and in need of repair.”
...More
Advertising: ‘Mad Men’ Dolls in Barbie’s World, but Cocktails Stay Behind
Mattel is planning versions of Barbie and Ken styled after four “Mad Men” characters in a promotion for the television series as well as for Barbie.
...More
Times Company Appoints Christie as Communications Officer
Robert Christie, who joins the Times Company after seven years with Dow Jones, will fill a position left vacant since August.
...More
Movie Review Leads to Suit Against Variety
The complaint accuses Variety of contractual breach, negligence and unfair business practices in connection with the film, “Iron Cross.”
...More
Public Pensions Are Adding Risk to Raise Returns
Even as big companies are moving their pension funds out of stocks, state governments are chasing higher returns by making riskier investments.
...More
Using Computing Might, Google Improves Translation Tool
The company’s network pushes the limits of translation technology and has become a favored source for millions.
...More
Mexico’s Oil Politics Is Causing Woes
The country, which kicked out oil firms in 1938, now needs assistance to get its oil out of the ground.
...More
Oil and Gasoline Prices Begin to Creep Up
Somewhat upbeat economic data, new tensions in Nigeria and reports that China plans to build up its reserves have lifted crude prices. Gasoline prices have followed.
...More
After Boom and Bust, Solar Power Has a Place in the Spanish Sun
A national commitment to solar power transformed one community but big subsidies led to unsustainable growth.
...More
Senate Panel to Investigate Deaths in Long-Term Care
The investigation will focus on Select Medical, which runs more long-term care facilities than any other company.
...More
Toyota Says Its Fixes Work When Properly Done
The carmaker said reports of continued acceleration problems after a repair could be traced to improper work.
...More
Brazil Threatens Retaliation in Dispute on Cotton Subsidies
The Brazilian government says it might raise tariffs on some American goods, but adds that the problem could be settled through negotiations.
...More
New Plan for General Growth to Exit Bankruptcy
The company, which operates shopping malls, has been fighting off an unsolicited $10 billion takeover bid from a rival.
...More
Itineraries: Cross-Cultural Training, Even for Those Who Stay Stateside
Business has become so global that companies are giving cultural training even to those who never go overseas, because they work with people around the world.
...More
Frequent Flier: Andre Berto, a Champion, Is Frequently Mistaken for a Saint
Andre Berto is a boxing champion who is sometimes mistaken for other people, especially the football player Reggie Bush.
...More
On the Road: Airplane Exit-Row Seats, Once a Perk, Now for Sale
Selling exit-row seats to all comers raise questions about whether all buyers are suitable to perform emergency evacuation procedures.
...More
Advertising: For Marketers, a Different Set of Oscar Winners
Newly frugal companies used a lot of previously seen commercials during the Academy Awards show, but there were some notable new spots.
...More
Portugal Readies Austerity Measures
Portugal’s plan relies on reducing investment, capping public sector wage growth, and selling off state assets.
...More
Between Germany and Greece, a Chorus of Sturm, Drang and Pathos
When Germans think they’ll have to bail out Greeks, centuries of bad feelings on both sides come out of hiding. Can a new Europe put them back in their cage?
...More
Iran’s Ace (or Deuce): Its Oil Reserves
Tehran is playing its hand as if its untapped oil reserves give it a trump card. But the longer the nuclear stalemate drags on, the more that strategy is in doubt.
...More
Dealbook: So Where’s Consumer Protection?
Should a consumer protection agency have true independence, as many Democrats believe it should, so that it has real power to act on its own?
...More
Eurotunnel Ekes Out Profit for 2009 Despite Disasters
Net profit fell 96 percent on lingering repercussions from a 2008 fire and the disastrous breakdown of Eurostar trains at the height of the year-end travel season.
...More
Corner Office: Meridee Moore: I’ll Skip the Private Office
Meridee A. Moore of Watershed Asset Management, a hedge fund, likes the back-and-forth of working in an open space. Private offices, she says, are lonely.
...More
Reuters: Small Business News
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:08:16 -0500Small business spirits downcast in February
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Optimism among the country's small businesses slipped in February as entrepreneurs worried about repeatedly weak sales, the National Federation of Independent Business said in a survey released on Tuesday.
...More
Startup ShopIgniter fired up over social shopping
SAN FRANCISCO (Private Equity Week) - Internet users spend copious amounts of time on social networks, such as Facebook, but relatively few of those hours are spent shopping.
...More
W.House's Romer: Too soon for spending clamp-down
ARLINGTON, Virginia (Reuters) - Clamping down on spending now to cut the gaping U.S. budget deficit would be "pound-foolish" and derail the economic recovery, a top White House economic adviser said on Tuesday.
...More
Obama targets insurers, sells reform plan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama launched a sharp attack on health insurers on Monday and called on his fellow Democrats to rise above politics and pass a healthcare overhaul in the next few weeks.
...More
Job market gauge up for 6th straight month
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. job market continued to improve in February for the sixth consecutive month, largely due to a strong recovery in manufacturing production, a research group said on Monday.
...More
Vineyard breakthrough wins water startup prize
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Web application that alerts wine grape farmers when their vines are thirsty has won first place in a competition to spur entrepreneurs in the investment-starved water sector, organizers said on Monday.
...More
Made in Costa Rica: U.S. Major League baseballs
TURRIALBA, Costa Rica (Reuters) - The average baseball is only used for a few pitches in the U.S. Major Leagues, but for the Costa Ricans who make them each ball is the result of hours of painstaking stitching by hand.
...More
Obama targets health insurers, sells reform plan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Monday intensified his attacks on health insurers and administration officials asked the industry to justify premium increases as the battle to reform America's expensive healthcare system entered its final stage.
...More
Wine entrepreneur looks to sip success at World Cup
TORONTO (Reuters) - When you think of your typical soccer fan, you don't picture them holding a glass of wine in their hand. Beer is definitely the drink of choice for diehards, but entrepreneur Selena Cuffe is hoping to use this year's soccer World Cup in South Africa to convert some of them.
...More
Men losing more jobs than women worldwide
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The global recession has caused more men than women lose their jobs around the world, following a pattern already well established in the United States, according to research released on Friday.
...More
FOXNews.com
Tue, 09 March 2010 21:07:40 ESTThe Softer Side of Hardware
Home Depot is testing a warm-and-fuzzy approach to selling hammers, lighting and garage doors that targets female shoppers....More
Electronic Arts Buying Game Studios From Elevation
Pandemic, BioWare to change ownership, join 'Madden' team....More
Disney to Sell Mickey-Inspired Fruit, Veggie Products
Disney plans to sell a line of products called Disney Garden....More
Wikipedia Moving From Florida to San Francisco
Online encyclopedia to move cross-country in January to hub of tech world....More
Gas, Car Sales Fuel Retail Sales Growth
Retailers' sales rose 0.6 percent last month and gasoline stations turned in their biggest jump in sales since May....More
Oracle Makes $6.66 Billion Bid to Buy BEA Systems
The business software maker confirmed today it offered BEA Systems $17 per share, a 25 percent premium over Thursday's closing price of $13.62. ...More
AT&T CEO Stan Sigman To Retire
AT&T Inc. said on Thursday that the head of its wireless unit, Stan Sigman, was retiring, and it appointed Ralph de la Vega as his successor....More
State Treasurer Wants Probe of Countrywide CEO
State Treasurer Richard Moore has asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the timing of stock sales made by the chief executive of mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp....More
L.A. Times - Business
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800Recovery emerging from U.S. factories
Manufacturing booms, but its importance to the overall economy has diminished.
Improbable as it seems, the brightest spot so far in the nation's spotty economic recovery is a sector long considered all but dead -- good-old-fashioned manufacturing.
...More
Improbable as it seems, the brightest spot so far in the nation's spotty economic recovery is a sector long considered all but dead -- good-old-fashioned manufacturing.
Runaway Prius driver: 'I was laying on the brakes but it wasn't slowing down'
Regulators and Toyota say they'll investigate James Sikes' wild ride east of San Diego, where he reached speeds of 90 mph weaving in and out of traffic before a CHP officer came to his aid.
James Sikes bought his Toyota Prius in 2008, and 53,000 miles later the car was driving fine. But on Monday afternoon, when he accelerated to pass another vehicle on Interstate 8 east of San Diego, the car kept going.
...More
James Sikes bought his Toyota Prius in 2008, and 53,000 miles later the car was driving fine. But on Monday afternoon, when he accelerated to pass another vehicle on Interstate 8 east of San Diego, the car kept going.
Battle heats up over Southern California Gas smart meter proposal
SoCalGas says the radio-controlled meters will help customers save money. But critics denounce the plan as a boondoggle, contending the costs far outweigh the benefits.
Natural gas consumers could pay more than $1 billion to put radio-controlled smart meters on their homes, even though an agency judge has ruled that the proposal by Southern California Gas Co. is a money loser.
...More
Natural gas consumers could pay more than $1 billion to put radio-controlled smart meters on their homes, even though an agency judge has ruled that the proposal by Southern California Gas Co. is a money loser.
Auto stocks face an uncertain road
Toyota's woes have helped put Ford's shares in the fast lane, but both firms are trading only at their levels of five years ago. Even the strongest carmakers face competitive and economic challenges.
Is it safe to drive off in an auto stock?
...More
Is it safe to drive off in an auto stock?
MySpace looks to the past for its future
The social networking site plans to return to its roots by pushing entertainment content and jettisoning portal-like features.
In a last-ditch effort to revive struggling MySpace, owner News Corp. has adopted a new strategy that it hopes will give the site's millions of users a reason to keep coming back.
...More
In a last-ditch effort to revive struggling MySpace, owner News Corp. has adopted a new strategy that it hopes will give the site's millions of users a reason to keep coming back.
Furniture maker's financial cushion is worn thin
Credit used to grease Gina Quatrine's business, but now the freeze gums it up.
Gina Quatrine declared that her furniture factory was a "true old-fashioned European workshop" -- which seemed a bit incongruous, given that we were standing on a concrete shop floor in an industrial neighborhood of Rancho Dominguez.
...More
Gina Quatrine declared that her furniture factory was a "true old-fashioned European workshop" -- which seemed a bit incongruous, given that we were standing on a concrete shop floor in an industrial neighborhood of Rancho Dominguez.
Need a translation? Google awaits your call
The Internet giant has applied its muscle to a phone application that can 'listen' to speech and provide translations in a computerized voice for English, Mandarin and Japanese.
Whether it's C-3PO, the fastidious Star Wars droid fluent in 6 million languages, or Star Trek's invisible but convenient "universal translator," the miracle interpreter has been a favorite device of science fiction.
...More
Whether it's C-3PO, the fastidious Star Wars droid fluent in 6 million languages, or Star Trek's invisible but convenient "universal translator," the miracle interpreter has been a favorite device of science fiction.
LifeLock settles FTC and state allegations that it misled consumers
The company agrees to pay $12 million and to tone down claims about the effectiveness of its identity-theft protection service.
Its chief executive prominently displays his Social Security number in ads for his identity-theft protection company. But LifeLock Inc. couldn't protect customers from the company's own misleading advertising, according to state and federal authorities.
...More
Its chief executive prominently displays his Social Security number in ads for his identity-theft protection company. But LifeLock Inc. couldn't protect customers from the company's own misleading advertising, according to state and federal authorities.
Runaway film production is the star of this movie
In a North Hollywood studio, actor Jack McGee is stripped down to his boxers, his legs duct-taped to a chair in a room draped in plastic sheets. He's not playing his best-known role of Chief Jerry Reilly in the TV series "Rescue Me" but the unlucky owner of a nightclub, sweating profusely as a mobster and his goons threaten to cut off his legs with a chain saw.
...More
Stocks rise after financial stocks jump on rumors
NEW YORK -- A year after the stock market began its comeback from 12-year lows, investors are looking for the next big thing.
...More
ABC News: Money
Celebrities -- and Pentagon -- Call for Consumer Protection Agency
President Obama. Will Ferrell. Sen. Chris Dodd. Heidi Montag. Now you can add the Pentagon to a growing list of advocates for an independent consumer protection agency.
Christopher Dodd - Consumer protection - Will Ferrell - President of the United States - United States
...More
Body of Missing Houston Exec. Found
Douglas Shantz, a Houston executive and the father of three children, has been missing since early Friday morning.
Houston - Mississippi River - United States - Science and Environment - Water Resources...More
Tracking the Dow One Year After Rock Bottom
We now know that March 9, 2009 was the Dow's rock bottom close of the Great Recession. One year later, the DJIA is up more 60 percent from its fear-of-another-Great Depression-low.
Unemployment - Recession - Education - Colleges and Universities - Recreation ...More
Samsung, Panasonic Go 3-D: Will You?
TV makers Samsung and Panasonic makers unveil 3-D TVs this week.
Panasonic Corporation - Samsung Group - Television - Sony - Panasonic...More
FDA: Pringles Shipped Despite Salmonella
FDA report finds company behind nationwide seasoning recall that includes Pringles continued selling and shipping products after finding salmonella.
Food & Drug Administration - Salmonella - Pringles - procter-gamble - Business
...More
Toyota With 'Stuck' Accelerator Hits 94 MPH, Driver Rescued by California Highway Patrol
James Sikes, whose 2008 Toyota Prius accelerated suddenly on a California interstate Monday, reaching 94 MPH before he was able to bring it under control with the help of the California Highway Patrol, said the cause of the incident was a "stuck" accelerator.
California Highway Patrol - Toyota Prius - California - Toyota - Recreation ...More
Was Obama Economic Advisor's Exit a Preemptive Strike?
When the White House announced last week it would be losing the services of Lewis A. Sachs, one of the president's top economic advisers, the reason given for Sachs's departure was that his work was largely complete.
White House - President - United States - Government - Barack Obama...More
'Pill Mills': Feds Raid 3 Florida Pain Clinics
Federal authorities raided three pain clinics in South Florida last week, alleging that they were distributing large quantities of prescription medications to their patients.
Prescription drug - Pharmacy - Florida - United States - Health ...More
'Psychic' Accused of Financial Fraud
Feds say 'America's Prophet' Sean David Morton bilked investors out of millions.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Business - Sean David Morton - Fraud - Psychic ...More
The Wackiest Viral Marketing Campaigns
Rumors are flying that the sneaker company is behind two videos circulating on You Tube of famous athletes exercising naked. Well, almost naked. One video features a buff Chad Ochocicno of the Cincinnati Bengals -- recently named as a new contestant on 'Dancing With the Stars' -- running naked through the woods and stopping occasionally to stretch his lanky limbs. Other viral marketing videos include Geico's Numa Numa guy doing a new dance, Where the Hell is Matt and Blendtec's Will It Blend.
YouTube - Numa Numa - Cincinnati Bengals - Viral marketing - Geico
...More
PHOTOS: Playboy Club's 50th Anniversary
A look back at the legendary clubs in their heyday.
Playboy Club - Military - History - Hugh Hefner - Recreation...More
PHOTOS: Is This Ad Selling Jeans, Or…?
Billboard for T.I.'s AKOO jeans clothing line criticized for sexually suggestive nature....More
ICF International's 4Q Net Ticks Higher
ICF International 4Q net rises; forecast for current quarter below estimates, stock slips
Investing - Business - Stocks and Bonds - Components - United States...More
A Policy Change on Abortion, but How Radical?
Restrictions on abortion funding take on different form in Obama's health care overhaul bill
Abortion - Health care - United States - Health - Pro-Life...More
Feds to Probe Cause of Runaway Prius in California
Federal investigators sent to determine cause of reported runaway Prius on California freeway
Toyota Prius - Toyota - San Diego - California Highway Patrol - California...More
Wintrust Financial Closes $182.9M Stock Offering
Wintrust Financial sells 5.8 million shares, nets $182.9 million
Share - Business - Investing - Stocks and Bonds - Financial Services...More
Obama Pushes Senators for Climate Bill
Obama meets with key senators in bid to advance climate legislation
White House - President - United States - Government - Executive Branch...More
WATCH: Health Insurance Identity Theft
Authorities say medical identity theft is becoming more sophisticated.
Identity theft - Theft - Crime - LifeLock - United States...More
WATCH: Credit Cards: How Young Is Too Young?
Parents debate the appropriate age to give their children credit cards.
Credit card - Personal Finance - Child - Credit - Home...More
WATCH: 5 Best Free Tax Tools
Becky Worley offers tips to finding free tax assistance online.
United States - Accounting - Becky Worley - Business - WorleyParsons...More
WATCH: Don't Fret Job Loss, Turn to Plan B
Meet Americans who turned their job loss into a whole new career.
Employment - Business - Careers - Job Search - Business and Economy...More
WATCH: Toyota Offers Huge Incentives
The automaker hopes to increase sales after a dismal February.
Toyota - Business - Auto - Recreation - Makes and Models...More
WATCH: AIG Deal Starts the Week
Bloomberg's Matt Miller analysis of the recent AIG deal that kicked off the week
American International Group - Matt Miller - United States - Government - Drama...More
WATCH: 5 Start-up Mistakes To Avoid
Small Business Expert Steve Strauss with five start-up mistakes you must avoid.
Business - Small business - Business and Economy - Marketing - Magazines and E-zines...More
WATCH: Economists Predict Jobs Are on the Way
A number of economic indicators all point to a slow but steady recovery.
Economic - Social Sciences - Employment - Indicators and Statistics - Official Statistics...More
WATCH: The $65 LA Gang Tour
In gang capital of U.S., critics argue gang tour is "Ghettotainment."
United States - Events - Recreation - Crime - Organized Crime...More
WATCH: Save Big on Tax Preparation
SmartMoney's Kelli Grant explains how to save money this tax season.
United States - Business - Kelli Grant - kellylink - Gavin Grant...More
WATCH: Retail Sales on the Rise
A report shows retail sales have increased despite rising unemployment numbers.
Retail - Business - Retail Trade - Business and Economy - Employment ...More
WATCH: Pricey Tomatoes Creates Shortage
Bad weather has driven up the price to approximately $40 a 25 lb. box.
Shopping - Recreation - Collecting - Tomato - United States...More
MiamiHerald.com: Business
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:28:48 ESTGM dealership reinstatements have little impact on South Florida
A move by General Motors Co. to reinstate 661 dealerships slated for closing may not have a major impact on South Florida since many local dealers were safe to begin with and others decided not to appeal the carmaker's 2009 decision to downsize....More
Underwater homeowners consider bailing out
Michael Keigans is ``underwater'' on his mortgage, owing $80,000 more than his Deerfield Beach house is worth.<p/> Keigans figures it could take a decade or two to recover the lost equity, so he's tempted to walk away, even though he has the money to pay. ``Why keep putting money into a house that's going down in value?'' he asks.
...More
Tweak Picasa settings to keep photo-sharing private
This week's Poked column answers a question from a reader who doesn't want everyone on his Google contact list to see photos he uploads to Picasa, Google's free photo editing and sharing service....More
Jackson South hospital could be multimillion-dollar white elephant
When the Public Health Trust meets Tuesday to consider $165.4 million in budget cuts, one of the toughest debates is likely to be over the proposed closing of Jackson South, the suburban facility on which the system has pinned its hopes for the past six years....More
60-second review | Zoom Q3 video recorder
PRODUCT: Zoom Q3 video recorder that records professional-quality audio.<p/>FEATURES: Comes with a windscreen, carrying pouch, 2GB SD memory card, AV cable and two AA batteries. Can also be powered by an AC adapter, which is sold separately.
...More
Learn how to avoid scams
Anyone can be scammed at any age. <p/> That's the message of this year's National Consumer Week, led by the U.S. Postal Service.<p/> Area post offices will be hosting events to teach about protecting privacy, managing money and debt, avoiding identity theft, understanding credit and mortgages and how to steer clear of fraud and scams. Participants will be able to ask consumer experts questions.
...More
Developers Konover South, Gibson merge
Deerfield Beach-based real estate developer Konover South has merged with Coral Gables-based Gibson Development Partners. The former CEO of Gibson Development, Ford Gibson, is now chief operating officer of Konover South.
...More
Luxury lifestyles of Ponzi schemers' wives get attention
They once could be found at the sides of their charming, wealthy husbands -- leading lives of privilege and glamour.<p/> Now those years of comfortably basking in money are gone, replaced by lawyers' questions and the scorn of former friends. Their posh lives had been built on their husbands' schemes.
...More
IBC Airways to offer nonstop flights from MIA to Cap-Haitien
Starting April 5, IBC Airways will offer nonstop flights to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, from Miami International Airport, the South Florida cargo and charter airline announced Monday.
...More
Benihana wins a round in court
Benihana said late Monday that it had won a long-running court battle with the former minority shareholders of the company's Haru restaurant chain....More
Small claims workshop set for Tuesday
Learn how small claims court works and get help filing your case at a free workshop hosted by the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department in Spanish and English at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
...More
South Floridian charged with Medicaid fraud
Juan Blandy, owner of Supreme Home Health Care Agency, was arrested last week by the Florida attorney general's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Miami-Dade Police.
...More
For South Florida companies, business of rebuilding Haiti begins
Wearing dark glasses and a baseball hat, Adam Finnieston hovered outside a field hospital in the Haitian capital with a prosthetic leg tucked beneath his arm. As groups of doctors rushed by, he handed out business cards and chatted with visitors about how the technology developed by his Miami company could help Haiti's amputees....More
Freight that can't wait is big business at Miami International Airport
Standing in one of Arrow Cargo's huge warehouses at Miami International Airport, Rodrigo Canola, the freight airline's export manager, pointed to stacks of electronic equipment from China and Korea, each separated according to their destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean....More
College advisor eagerly accepts business advice
College can open up a world of opportunity, but first you have to get in the door.<p/> So Mandee Heller Adler launched a company in 2004 to guide high school students and their panicking parents through the confusing, often stressfully competitive college admissions process. By offering personal coaching and expert strategies, she helped her first client get into Dartmouth.
...More
Toyota to expand recall of Tundra pickups for rust
Toyota says it will expand a recall announced last year to fix Tundra pickup trucks with frames that could rust....More
ICF International's 4Q net ticks higher
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....More
Wintrust Financial closes $182.9M stock offering
Wintrust Financial Corp., which operates community bank subsidiaries, said Tuesday it sold 5.8 million shares in a public offering that netted about $182.9 million....More
Protalix chairman resigns for health reasons
Protalix Biotherapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company, said Tuesday its chairman of the board is resigning to recover from an illness....More
Dollar General sues rival chain over colors
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....More
What to do if your car suddenly accelerates
What should you do if your car suddenly accelerates? Here are three ways to stop the vehicle, according to Toyota:...More
Major Toyota events leading up to runaway Prius
- March 8 - Driver James Sikes speeds along a San Diego County freeway in a 2008 Toyota Prius for 20 minutes, reaching 94 miles per hour, before a Highway Patrol officer helps slow down the car. Toyota, the California Highway Patrol and federal safety officials say they will investigate....More
Summary Box: Class-action suits against Toyota
WHAT'S HAPPENING: 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....More
ProLogis prices $1.5B of senior notes
ProLogis, a real estate investment trust, priced $400 million of convertible senior notes and $1.1 billion of fixed-rate senior notes Tuesday....More
Flow International narrows 3Q loss
Flow International Inc., which makes water jet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, said Tuesday it narrowed its loss in the third quarter, compared with a year-ago quarter weighed by a hefty charge....More
Freight that can't wait is big business at Miami International Airport
Standing in one of Arrow Cargo's huge warehouses at Miami International Airport, Rodrigo Canola, the freight airline's export manager, pointed to stacks of electronic equipment from China and Korea, each separated according to their destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean....More
Chile wineries update amount of losses
The earthquake caused substantial damage in Chile's wine region: Stainless steel fermentation tanks tipped over, wine bottles busted and wineries without power.
...More
Protests rock Greece in the wake of new austerity measures
German Chancellor Angela Merkel avoided giving debt-plagued Greece a commitment of financial assistance Friday, as Athens was rattled by more strikes and violent protests by unions outraged by harsh economic austerity measures.
...More
Ship line reports 1st loss in 6 decades
A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, owner of the world's largest container-shipping line, reported its first annual loss in at least six decades and said it will be limited to a ``modest'' profit in 2010 because of inadequate price increases.
...More
Royal Caribbean cruise ship under quarantine in Brazil
A Royal Caribbean International cruise ship was placed under quarantine in southeastern Brazil after hundreds of passengers were stricken with vomiting and diarrhea, health authorities said Thursday
...More
Spirit Airlines resumes service to Port-au-Prince
Spirit Airlines this week resumed flights from Fort Lauderdale into Port-au-Prince as the rattled airport returns to normal. The announcement came with an apparent dig at rivals from CEO Ben Baldanza: ``Often times, people use disasters to take advantage of other's misfortune and profit through exploitation,'' Baldanza wrote. ``We are happy to continue offering the ultra low fares that our friends and families in Haiti have come to know and love.''
...More
Bacardi's fight to retain Havana Club name resurfaces in Congress
A years-long battle over a famous Cuban brand -- Havana Club rum -- resurfaced on Capitol Hill on Wednesday as liquor giants Bacardi and Pernod Ricard tussled over an obscure -- but potentially lucrative -- provision in federal law....More
Haitian-American firm lands Haiti cleanup contract
The U.S. Agency for International Development awarded a $3.5 million contract to PHS Group, a Silver Spring, Md., engineering firm, for cleanup work in Haiti, the first earthquake-related contract to go to a Haitian American.
...More
Chile's fishing, wine sectors hard-hit by earthquake
The tsunami that hit this coastal city sent 50-ton fishing boats crashing onto land and demolished its port -- wiping out the $40 million in business that courses through the local economy from the annual anchovy and sardine catch....More
Chilean wineries were hard-hit by the earthquake
The earthquake caused substantial damage in Chile's wine region: Stainless steel fermentation tanks tipped over, wine bottles busted and wineries without power.
...More
Profit jumps 2 percent at HSBC Holdings
HSBC Holdings, Europe's largest bank, reported Monday that full-year profit rose 2 percent as sharply lower operating costs helped offset an increase in loan impairment charges.
...More
Winner of `Nobel of computing' at a glance
NAME: Charles Thacker...More
Summary Box: Real strings on new guitar game
THE NEXT LEVEL: The small studio behind "Power Gig: Rise of the SixString" hopes to compete with the bigwigs behind "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" by having players strum real string, not buttons, to play....More
Summary Box: New Cisco heavy-duty Internet router
THE PRODUCT: Core routers power the most trafficked parts of the Internet backbone, the main arteries for data....More
Global TV market share at a glance
Global market share for TV manufacturers in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to DisplaySearch, part of the NPD Group:...More
Summary Box: Samsung, Panasonic releasing 3-D TVs
COMING AT YOU: Samsung Electronics Co. is selling two 3-D sets, beginning this week. Panasonic Corp. plans a similar announcement Wednesday. Sony Corp. said Tuesday its sets will come out in June....More
Maine gov cool to cell phone health warnings bill
As a proposal to require health warnings on cellular phones got a fresh legislative review Tuesday, Gov. John Baldacci made clear his opposition but stopped short of threatening a veto....More
`Nobel of computing' goes to early PC designer
A Microsoft Corp. researcher won the $250,000 Turing Award, one of technology's most coveted prizes, on Tuesday for his work helping design and build what is widely considered the first modern personal computer....More
Texas co. gets contract for food service software
The West Virginia Department of Education has awarded a contract to a Texas company to improve its food service operations at schools across the state....More
On latest guitar game, players strum real strings
An upcoming musical video game lets players strum a real six-string electric guitar instead of tapping buttons on a fake instrument....More
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes
iTunes' top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending March 8, 2010:...More
Microsoft rolls out new MSN site design
Microsoft is rolling out the new design for its MSN Web portal in the U.S....More
Miami-Dade tourist tax falls 20 percent
An apparent bottom in the Miami-Dade hotel market gave way in August, when tourist taxes plunged 20 percent -- making it the third worst month for the industry since the financial crisis began a year ago.<p/> An apparent bottom in the Miami-Dade hotel market gave way in August, when tourist taxes plunged 20 percent -- making it the third worst month for the industry since the financial crisis began a year ago....More
Ambrosia beetle no cause for panic, scientists say
Last summer, there was a premature announcement of the presence of a tiny beetle that has the power to spread fungus that can severely damage avocado trees. That turned out to be an unfortunate mistake, triggering some growers to cut down and burn trees and apply pesticide.
...More
Nature's Variety expands pet food recall
Nature's Variety has expanded its recall of chicken-flavored pet food because of concerns over salmonella.<p/> The Lincoln, Neb.-based company said Monday that the raw, frozen food is being recalled because it could be contaminated with salmonella.
...More
One Jackson Health System union says it will `come to the table,' another balks
Spokesmen for one Jackson Health System union offered Tuesday to be ``realistic'' in offering concessions for Miami-Dade's troubled public health system, while another union leader said that offering pay cuts was like ``putting money into a sieve.''
...More
Drugmaker Teva names Miami's Phil Frost as chairman
Generic drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said Tuesday it has appointed vice chairman Dr. Phillip Frost to serve as chairman of its board.<p/> The world's largest generic drugmaker by revenue said Frost, a Miami physician-entrepreneur, will replace Moshe Many, who had been serving as interim chairman and will now serve as vice chairman....More
Perry Ellis to sell Top-Flite golf clothes at Kmart
Miami-based Perry Ellis International said Monday that it has a deal to sell Top-Flite brand men's golf clothes at Kmart stores in the United States....More
TIB Financial reports $45.1 million loss
TIB Financial, parent company of TIB Bank and Naples Capital Advisors, reported a fourth-quarter loss of $45.1 million, compared to a loss $13.3 million in the 2008 fourth quarter. The results include a $31.6 million goodwill impairment charge, including the goodwill associated with the Naples-based company's acquisitions of The Bank of Venice and the operations of the former Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast....More
Mailboxes removed for lack of use
Can you find out what's happened with our mailboxes in the North Miami area? They've mysteriously disappeared! There was one on West Dixie Highway and 124th Street, one on NE 6th Avenue and 128th Street, and one on 6th Avenue and 125th Street, until just a few days ago.
...More
Tax break for unemployment
Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2009 are entitled to a special tax break when they file their 2009 federal tax returns. This tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
...More
msnbc.com: Business
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:21:19 GMTWP: When jobless benefits turn to welfare
Millions of Americans have been forced to rely on unemployment payments for extended periods, and critics are taking aim....More
Stocks rise a year after market hit bottom
A year after the stock market began its comeback from 12-year lows, investors are looking for the next big thing....More
Bankers winning financial reform battle
As Congress inches toward a new set of rules to avert another global financial collapse, the score so far looks like Bankers 1, Consumers 0....More
Toyota, U.S. officials probe runaway Prius
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.
...More
How to stop your car when the throttle is stuck
A quick primer on what to do if you find yourself in a car that has accelerated unintentionally. Experts recommend practicing for an emergency.
...More
Class-action suits may cost Toyota billions
Toyota owners claiming that recalls are causing the value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the auto giant billions....More
Toyota recalling all 2000 to 2003 Tundras
Toyota said on Tuesday it would fix all Tundra pickups sold in the United States for the 2000 to 2003 model years to address a risk that part of the truck's frame could corrode....More
Gas prices’ run likely won’t top $3 a gallon
As the economy recovers, energy prices are rising and that is placing extra strain on families' budgets....More
Jobless aid bill passes key Senate hurdle
Legislation to give additional months of unemployment benefits to people who have been out of a job for more than half a year cleared a key hurdle Tuesday....More
Lohan sues E*Trade over ‘milkaholic’ baby
The actress Lindsay Lohan has sued E*Trade Financial Corp for $100 million, saying a "milkaholic" baby girl who appeared in a recent commercial was modeled after her.
...More
Job openings rise; hiring may start to pick up
Job openings rose sharply earlier this year, a sign that employers might be preparing to step up hiring....More
Young adults anxious about future, finances
Young adult Americans are financially anxious, worried that they cannot meet their educational, housing and health care needs, according to a new poll....More
Answering service thrives by embracing change
Against the odds, phone answering services like Answer 1 Communications have learned to thrive by embracing the same technology that once threatened to replace them.
...More
Ranks of U.S. millionaires jumped last year
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 says....More
Comparing the top 3 tax-prep sites
Confused by taxes? Here is a breakdown of what the major tax-prep services — Intuit TurboTax, H&R Block at Home and Second Story Software's TaxAct — offer for consumers....More
NYT: Public pension funds ‘going to Vegas’
States and other government bodies are making riskier investments to get higher returns for their pension funds in an attempt to pay all the benefits promised to retirees.
...More
Google millionaires spreading their wealth
BusinessWeek: A group of Google millionaires are active angel investors, often working together to swap investment ideas and back startups. And the results have been impressive.
...More
Chevron to shed 2,000 jobs this year
Chevron Corp. says it will cut 2,000 jobs this year and will continue reducing its work force through 2011....More
BBC News | Business | UK Edition
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:43:28 GMTBanking fraud 'moves to internet'
Fraudsters are continuing their switch from traditional card fraud to raiding online bank accounts, new research shows....More
BA strike action talks to resume
Talks aimed averting strike action by BA cabin crew are due to resume later, after a deadline was extended....More
Trade gap widens unexpectedly
The UK goods trade deficit with the rest of the world widens in January, causing the pound to dip below $1.50. ...More
Payment protection rules delayed
The Financial Services Authority is delaying its plans to combat the mis-selling of payment protection insurance....More
Aer Lingus to make 670 job cuts
Aer Lingus announces plans to lay off 670 staff, including nearly a quarter of its cabin crew, as part of restructuring plans....More
Obama backs Greece on speculators
President Barack Obama has 'responded positively' to calls to clamp down on market speculators, says the Greek PM after talks....More
EU concern over end of tanker bid
Brussels says it hopes European aerospace group EADS was not prevented from fairly bidding for a major US defence deal....More
M&S boss says he expects pay cut
Marks and Spencer's chairman and chief executive will reduce his role in the company this year - and says he will take a pay cut....More
Npower will cut gas bills by 7%
Energy company Npower is to cut domestic gas bills by 7% from 26 March, following price cuts by other suppliers. ...More
Photographer Annie Leibovitz snaps up debt rescue deal
Photographer Annie Leibovitz does a deal with Colony Capital to clear huge debts that meant she may have lost her library of famous pictures.
...More
Out of tune: Elgar £20 note to be phased out
The £20 note featuring composer Sir Edward Elgar is to be withdrawn from circulation by the Bank of England in June....More
Dotcom Crash
10 years on from the burst Nasdaq bubble...More
Final call
Brendan Barber on pension scheme closures...More
Royal junk mail
Why postal reforms are good news for direct mailers...More
Fuel fighters
Boeing wins lucrative mid-air refuelling battle
...More
Stephanomics
Maybe we can't devalue our way out of trouble...More
Cost cutters
Paying when companies shed pensions liabilities...More
House price rises 'to ease off'
Further rises in house prices may be held back by more properties coming onto the market, surveyors have said....More
Chevron looks for refinery buyer
The Chevron oil firm is looking for bids for a refinery that directly employs around 1,400 people in Pembrokeshire....More
Retail sales rebound in February
Retail sales bounced back in February after a tough January on the High Street, the latest figures show....More
Eurotunnel makes profit in 2009
Eurotunnel, which manages the Channel Tunnel, makes an annual profit of 1.4m euros despite a "poor economic environment"....More
Legoland firm sees more visitors
Madam Tussauds, Sea Life and London Eye owners, Merlin, weathers the downturn with visitor growth and expansion plans....More
Greece asks US for its assistance
Greece's prime minister asks the US to crack down on speculators he blames for worsening his country's debt woes....More
Deal agreed in Royal Mail dispute
A deal is reached in the long-running dispute at Royal Mail over modernising the postal service which led to strikes last year....More
Toyota rejects electronics fears
Toyota rejects claims that faulty electronics could be behind its worldwide recall of more than eight million cars. ...More
Complaint made over Kraft claims
The Takeover Panel receives a complaint over assurances given by Kraft that it would save a Cadbury plant it is now closing....More
E.On is latest to cut gas prices
E.on says it will cut gas bills by 6% from 31 March, saving almost two million customers an average of £42 a year....More
Brussels to mull 'European IMF'
Europe may set up a version of the International Monetary Fund to bolster the eurozone's financial stability....More
'Sharp cut' in pensions deficit
A sharp cut has been reported in the deficit of final salary pension schemes in the private sector, figures show....More
'Low morale' hits tax authority
Low morale and poor leadership is affecting performance at HM Revenue and Customs, a report by MPs says....More
Mortgages 'more easily available'
The number of mortgage deals on offer to borrowers rose by 6% in the past month, according to Moneyfacts....More
Business bodies urge faster cuts
The CBI wants the Budget to deliver plans to balance public finances by 2016 - two years earlier than currently planned....More
Internet access 'a human right'
Almost four in five people worldwide see internet access as a fundamental right, a poll for the BBC World Service suggests....More
Portugal unveils austerity plans
Portugal announces a series of new austerity measures as it seeks to avoid a debt crisis like the one in Greece....More
Sony eyeing June launch of 3D TV
Electronics giant Sony says its new 3D television will be on sale in Japan from June, with a cost of £2,600 for a 46-inch screen model....More
AIG selling second overseas unit
AIG sells an insurance group to rival MetLife for $15.5bn, as it continues to raise funds to pay off a federal bail-out....More
Aer Lingus delays profit figures
Aer Lingus, the Irish airline, has delayed plans to unveil its results Tuesday after cabin crew rejected a cost-cutting proposal. ...More
Car sales see continued recovery
UK car sales in February were up by 26.4% compared with the same month last year, industry figures show....More
Ford outsells GM after sales jump
Ford reports a jump in US sales of 43% last month, selling more cars than its great rival General Motors, as Toyota sales slip....More
No guarantee on 2012 lottery cash
The Olympic Delivery Authority says it cannot guarantee all National Lottery money used for London 2012 will be returned....More
West Brom to support Chile appeal
West Brom's shirts will feature a "Help Chile" logo for the home game with Sheffield Wednesday....More
Wash Post Business
Federal regulators debunk rumors of short-selling ban
Federal regulators this afternoon shot down rumors in the financial markets they were planning to ban short selling of stocks in which the government has a stake.
...More
Gay marriages expected to create wedding-related jobs in D.C.
Georgetown residents Christopher Cahill and Richard Marshall consider the $75,000 wedding that they're planning for June to be their own "personal stimulus package" for the District economy.
...More
D.C. law firm Arent Fox names Mark M. Katz new chairman
The Washington law firm Arent Fox said Monday that it has named longtime partner Mark M. Katz as its new chairman, a leadership change that comes as the legal sector copes with an economic downturn that has curtailed business and prompted layoffs.
...More
Obama launches attack on health insurance companies
The White House is mounting a stinging, sustained broadside against health insurance rate increases as President Obama and his aides enter what they hope will be the final stretch of a year-long political war over health-care reform.
...More
Video Vault, cult movie rental favorite, to close in April
Another video rental store might have been content to boast a "Horror" section, but Alexandria's Video Vault always catered to far more specialized tastes.
...More
What is a credit default swap?
That's part of what Greece's prime minister, George Papandreou, blames for his country's financial crisis. A credit default swap is a form of insurance on bonds that investors buy and sell. When it looks like a bond issuer might have trouble paying, its CDS prices soar because the bonds are more...
...More
Toyota demo counters claim of electronic acceleration glitch
Embattled Japanese auto giant Toyota launched a broad counter-attack on Monday aimed at refuting research that suggests electronics may be at the heart of runaway acceleration problems that have led the automaker to recall more than 6 million vehicles.
...More
Analysis finds uneasy mix in auto industry and regulation
Dozens of former federal officials are playing leading roles in helping carmakers handle federal investigations of auto defects, including those for Toyota's runaway-acceleration problems.
...More
A ski bum turns his love of the slopes into a living
Chris Chapman owns an Anne Arundel County business that sounds deceptively simple. It brings him a comfortable six-figure income on more than $1 million in revenue, allows him to employ a handful of relatives and is built around a sport he loves.
...More
Foreign Digest: Pakistan, Iran, China, Guantanamo, Dubai, Haiti
Pakistan The Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella militant group that had been weakened in recent months, staged a forceful resurgence Monday with an attack that killed at least 12 in the heartland city of Lahore. As the workday began, a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-packed truck into an unmarked...
...More
Disney allows Cablevision to resume showing WABC-7 as revenue negotiations continue
ABC returned to the televisions of Cablevision's 3 million New York area subscribers late Sunday, allowing viewers to catch most of the Academy Awards. But the companies didn't say whether they had ended their tense and bitter impasse over how much the cable operator should pay Walt Disney Co., t...
...More
With bank credit frozen, small U.S. businesses starting to turn to microlenders
Ryan Fochler's life changed six years ago when he left his job in the computer industry to buy an Arlington County-based dog-walking business with $50,000 in personal savings and a home-equity line of credit. The firm grew quickly, with revenue more than doubling each year. By 2008, Fochler was r...
...More
Icelanders reject full repayment to British, Dutch caught in bank collapse
LONDON -- Icelanders this weekend resoundingly rejected a plan to reimburse overseas depositors after the failure of an online Icelandic bank, a rare public referendum on the repayment of a foreign liability that could fuel further concerns over debt problems in Europe.
...More
Bankruptcy law doesn't restrict free speech, Supreme Court says
A federal law that bars attorneys from telling clients who are contemplating bankruptcy to take on more debt is not an unconstitutional restriction on the free-speech rights of lawyers, the Supreme Court decided Monday.
...More
Obama nominates Robert A. Harding to lead TSA
President Obama nominated retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert A. Harding on Monday to lead the Transportation Security Administration, selecting someone unknown to the aviation industry and federal unions to lead one of the government's most visible agencies.
...More
Second Life's virtual money can become real-life cash
Dana Moore sells rain. He sells a lot of it, for about a buck per reusable storm.