"Wallstreet" Reader

"Wallstreet" Reader

Disney Breaks Ground on Shanghai Theme Park

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:59 PM PDT

Disney and its Chinese government-owned business partners broke ground on Shanghai Disneyland, a crucial development for a company intent on bolstering its presence in China.

Asia Mostly a Little Higher; Tokyo Weighed by Quake

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:04 PM PDT

Asian stock markets were mostly a little higher, although the Tokyo bourse was weighed by another earthquake late on Thursday.

Europe's Rate Rise Signals End of Cheap-Money Era

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:46 PM PDT

The European Central Bank became the first monetary authority in a major developed economy to raise interest rates since the global financial crisis struck—a sign that the long period of easy credit is beginning to come to a close.

Muni Salesmen Fight Gloom

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:12 PM PDT

Few people used to worry much about the humdrum municipal-bond market. Then prices dropped last fall, and pundits from all corners suddenly offered predictions, some dire. Now, after months of assault and an investor exodus, the muni business is fighting back.

Southwest's Solo Flight in Crisis

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:33 PM PDT

Southwest took an unusual approach when it voluntarily grounded 79 planes but government officials said the move paid off, allowing the airline to get ahead on inspections after a fuselage ripped open in flight.

Obama Faces a Host of Finance Openings to Fill

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:38 PM PDT

More than a dozen senior finance positions spread across seven regulatory bodies and the Treasury Department lack permanent occupants.

Chevron Rekindles Old Texas Flame

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:38 PM PDT

Climbing oil prices are making the aging oil fields of Texas's Permian Basin look attractive again to some big petroleum companies.

Blockbuster Lawyers, Bankers Spar Over Price, Pizza and More

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:11 PM PDT

The auction for video-store chain Blockbuster Inc. at times became like a "cage match," said one person who was there. Another likened it to a "lawyers' gang fight."

Brazil Gives In to Surging Currency

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:24 PM PDT

Brazil appears to be waving the white flag in the currency war. After months of tough talk, Finance Minister Guido Mantega seems resigned to the fact that there is little he can do to contain the real's meteoric rise.

Australia Blocks ASX-SGX Deal

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:19 PM PDT

Australia's treasurer blocked Singapore Exchange's proposed takeover of main stock market operator ASX, saying the deal offered little for Australia and raised the risk of a loss of control of its clearing and settlement systems.

Hercules Offshore Probed on Possible Bribe Violations

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:04 PM PDT

Hercules Offshore, a shallow-water drilling company, said it is being investigated by federal law-enforcement authorities for potential violations of laws against bribery in international dealings.

Data-Roaming Rules Get Green Light

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 04:13 PM PDT

Some customers could find it easier to use their smartphones to text or access the Internet outside their service areas under new rules approved by U.S. federal regulators.

Johnson & Johnson Names New Executive at McNeil Unit

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 03:22 PM PDT

Johnson & Johnson named a new executive at its troubled McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit Thursday, the latest step in the company's ongoing effort to fix manufacturing problems that led to Tylenol recalls.

Senators Push to Open Medicare Database

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:15 PM PDT

Two senators have introduced legislation to overturn a 1979 court injunction that bars the government from revealing what individual physicians earn from Medicare.

Expedia to Spin Off TripAdvisor

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:56 PM PDT

Expedia said it planned to spin off its crown jewel, TripAdvisor, in a deal that could value the travel-media unit at as much as $4 billion. Expedia shares jumped 14% in after-hours trading Thursday.

Nissan Rallies After Terrifying Shake

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 05:13 PM PDT

In the 24 hours after the March 11 quake struck Japan, managers scrambled to respond to the unfolding crisis from a makeshift eighth floor 'war room.'

Google, U.S. Near Accord on Travel Deal

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:33 PM PDT

Google and the Justice Department are close to agreeing a legal settlement to avert a court challenge to the company's $700 million acquisition of flight-data company ITA Software.

Oil Tops $110

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 04:57 PM PDT

The main U.S. oil contract finished above $110 a barrel for the first time in 2½ years, lifted by fighting in Libya and signs of an economic recovery in the U.S.

With Bated Breath, U.K. Banks Await Report

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 03:54 PM PDT

A government-appointed panel is examining whether the sector needs to be restructured to make it more competitive and reduce the risk of another financial crisis.

Dodd-Frank Foes Adopt New Tactics

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 03:38 PM PDT

Republicans and business groups concede they lack the votes to repeal the Dodd-Frank financial-overhaul law, so they are attacking it piece by piece. Moreover, key Senate Democrats have given them the green light to try to modify some aspects of the law.