"Wallstreet" Reader

"Wallstreet" Reader

Fed Labors to Get Its Message Out

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 07:32 PM PST

Federal Reserve officials have signaled they aim to stick with Ben Bernanke's plan to buy $600 billion in long-term U.S. Treasury bonds. But they are struggling to find a coherent way to explain that—and other touchy issues—to the public.

Terror Fears Spur U.S. to Keep Smallpox

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:00 PM PST

The U.S. and Russia will fight international efforts this week to set a deadline to destroy the last known stocks of smallpox, saying the deadly virus is needed for research to combat bioterrorism.

Ex-Dictator's Return Unsettles Haiti

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 05:35 PM PST

The return of deposed dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier after a nearly 25-year absence threatens to further destabilize Haiti's already chaotic politics.

Asia Mixed, Techs Falls

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 05:53 PM PST

Asian stock markets were mixed, with Tokyo off 0.1% weighed by falls in tech stocks.

Boeing 787s Resume FAA Test Flights

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:34 PM PST

Boeing said its delayed 787 aircraft had resumed test flights required by FAA regulators before it can make its first customer delivery.

In Takeover War, 'Poison Pill' on Trial

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:45 PM PST

Companies have long used the poison pill to ward off hostile takeovers. Now the maneuver has come under attack, and a Delaware judge is expected to rule on its use as part of his review of a year-long takeover battle.

Farmers Likely to Increase Plantings

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:53 PM PST

Analysts estimate U.S. farmers must sow an additional 10 million acres come spring to maintain adequate supplies of crops from corn to oats. One incentive: high prices.

New Calls on GOP Side Not to Lift Debt Limit

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 05:06 PM PST

Three potential Republican candidates for president came out against boosting the federal debt limit without substantial spending cuts, raising the temperature in a debate that is quickly becoming a test of Washington's newfound appetite for financial discipline.

GE Nears Deal With Chinese Aviation Firm

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 04:21 PM PST

General Electric is wrapping up a deal that ties the future of its global civilian avionics business to a joint venture with a Chinese company and could announce the agreement as early as this week, people familiar with the matter said.

Deadlines Missed on Financial-Overhaul Rules

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 04:28 PM PST

Several deadlines to write rules needed to implement the financial overhaul triggered by the Dodd-Frank law have been missed or postponed by the SEC and CFTC.

Airbus Wins Virgin Order

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:42 PM PST

Airbus landed the first firm contract for an updated version of its best-selling A320 model from U.S. upstart carrier Virgin America, helping push the European plane maker's 2010 order total past rival Boeing.

J.Crew Gets No Counterbids

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:49 PM PST

J.Crew didn't get any bids to counter a $3 billion buyout offer from a team that included its chief executive, people familiar with the matter said.

Doubters: Market Is on Borrowed Time

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 04:35 PM PST

Some analysts point to several technical indicators that portend the return of gravity to the market. Investor optimism is just one of the sell signals.

Caution on Offshore-Yuan Market Urged

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 07:25 PM PST

Executives, bankers and government officials raised questions over the emerging offshore market for China's currency, underscoring the continuing debate over the future of the yuan in the global economy.

Blockbuster Asks for More Cash

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 01:46 PM PST

Blockbuster is asking creditors to put up more money to help it exit bankruptcy protection, prompting a debate among bondholders about whether to invest further in the struggling video chain or put it up for sale.

U.S. Near Approving Comcast's NBC Deal

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:37 PM PST

Federal regulators are on the verge of announcing approval of Comcast's deal to acquire control of NBC Universal from General Electric.

Tepid Sales Battle Rising Costs

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 01:14 PM PST

Fourth-quarter U.S. corporate earnings should continue the string of healthy profit growth, but the outlook for 2011 will be swayed by two competing forces: sales growth and rising costs.

BP's Deal-Making Ability Intact

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:52 PM PST

BPs tie-up with Russia's Rosneft exposes a big irony: The Gulf of Mexico oil spill doesn't seem to have harmed BP's ability to strike landmark deals on offshore-oil exploration.

OPEC Boosts 2011 Forecast

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 04:53 PM PST

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said demand for its oil in 2011 will be stronger than it previously forecast owing to the recovery in the global economy.

UBS Gives Dress Code Makeover

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 05:43 PM PST

UBS said it is revising its much-publicized dress code to focus on the core elements of the style guide, and will require its Swiss retail-banking staff to wear the bank's corporate colors.