Trade deficit shrinks as auto and oil imports drop
(AP)
4 hours agoAP - 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.
Toyota troubles put spotlight on US safety agency
(AP)
24 minutes agoAP - The government may require automakers to include brake systems that can override the gas pedal in response to Toyota's massive recalls, auto safety officials told Congress on Thursday.
Stocks trade flat on concern about China inflation
(AP)
50 minutes agoAP - 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.
Dodd to offer his own financial regulation bill
(AP)
Posted 1 hours agoAP - 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.
Stolen Swiss bank data at HSBC hits 24,000 clients
(AFP)
38 minutes agoAFP - 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.
Feds pledge tough review of Comcast-NBC deal
(AP)
26 minutes agoAP - Federal regulators are pledging a rigorous review of the proposed combination of Comcast Corp. and NBC Universal.
A look at global economic developments
(AP)
10 Mar 2010 at 1:51pmAP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Wednesday:
Smart Spending: Wedding gifts on a budget
(AP)
2 hours agoAP - 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.
At a Glance: Smithfield Foods 3Q results
(AP)
10 minutes agoAP - 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.
Police clash with protesters as Greeks fight cuts
(Reuters)
Posted 1 hours agoReuters - Police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens on Thursday as tens of thousands of strikers protested against draconian cutbacks aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis shaking the euro zone.
Stocks Are Quiet While Currencies Scream
(The Motley Fool)
2 hours agoThe 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.
CFTC head scolds Wall Street for resisting reforms
(Reuters)
2 hours agoReuters - 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)
32 minutes agoAP - 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.
Summary Box: Foreclosures grow more slowly
(AP)
53 minutes agoAP - FORECLOSURES UP: Foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac says the number of households facing foreclosure last month grew 6 percent from a year ago.
Kroger rewards in litigation
(AP)
22 minutes agoAP - 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.
U.S. traffic deaths down; regulators probed on Toyota
(Reuters)
2 hours agoReuters - 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.
The Ambitions of Prudential's Tidjane Thiam
(BusinessWeek)
5 hours agoBusinessWeek - 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.
