"Wallstreet" Reader

"Wallstreet" Reader

Asian Shares Rise

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 06:59 PM PDT

Asian stock markets were higher, supported by growing hopes for a resolution to the Greek debt crisis, while sharp gains for utilities stocks underpinned the Tokyo market. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.6%.

The Regulator Down the Hall

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT

As part of a push to prevent another financial crisis, the New York Fed and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are increasing the number of examiners "embedded" at the nation's biggest banks.

Japan Posts Deep Trade Deficit in May

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 07:35 PM PDT

Japan posted a $10.66 billion trade deficit in May, the government said on Monday, marking the biggest shortfall in nearly two and a half years.

GM Bets Buyers Will Pay Up for Small Car

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 05:46 PM PDT

General Motors is making a big bet on pricing its smallest car, the subcompact Chevrolet Sonic, at a level comparable to well-established imports.

Charitable Giving Rose Last Year

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 06:00 PM PDT

Philanthropic donations from individuals, foundations and corporations increased 3.8% to $290.89 billion in 2010, up from $280.3 billion in 2009, according to the latest Giving USA survey.

In Florida, Banking's Survivors Are Lending

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 07:25 PM PDT

Fifty-one banks in Florida have failed since the start of 2007. Now some of the survivors are starting to make loans again, with first-quarter loan volume up by at least 5% compared with the end of 2010, in contrast to an overall decline of 1.7% in lenders nationwide.

Steering Stuff for 'Cars 2'

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 04:24 PM PDT

Jay Ward, the 'franchise guardian' for Pixar's "Cars" series, evaluates licensing pitches based on, among things, if they are true to how the characters behave—on screen and even in the natural world.

'Fracking' Disclosure to Rise

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 06:43 PM PDT

The natural-gas industry, bowing to longtime pressure, will disclose more information about the chemicals it uses in the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing.

Disney's 'Cars 2' Fuels Product-Sales Formula

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 04:32 PM PDT

As Disney prepares for this week's release of "Cars 2," the entertainment giant is betting the movie's main character can race for years into the play rooms, lunch boxes and even bathtubs of boys around the world.

Ford Buffs Its Lincoln Brand

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 06:26 PM PDT

Ford is spending $1 billion to develop seven all-new or significantly upgraded vehicles that its Lincoln brand will roll out over the next four years.

Pilots Split on Simulators

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 05:49 PM PDT

United Continental wants to use less-expensive and less-realistic flight simulators for essential, recurrent pilot-training tasks, prompting criticism from outside safety groups and many of its own cockpit crews.

U.K. Weighs Privatizing Administrative Services

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 02:48 PM PDT

The U.K. is preparing a major push to increase the use of the private sector in operating government back offices as part of its attempts to cut public spending, people familiar with the matter said.

PNC to Buy RBC's U.S. Unit

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 06:23 PM PDT

PNC Financial Services Group has agreed to buy the U.S. retail banking operations of Royal Bank of Canada for $3.45 billion.

Tensions Disrupt Carrefour

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 03:56 PM PDT

Ahead of Carrefour's spinoff of its discount unit, the company finds itself in disarray, largely the result of four years of tension between management and the supervisory board.

Catching a Lift From IBM

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 12:34 PM PDT

Is long-retired IBM Chief Louis V. Gerstner Jr. still a frequent flier on IBM Corp.'s jets? The number of trips by the computer giant's jets to Stuart, Fla., and Nantucket, Mass., near where public records show Mr. Gerstner has homes, certainly would suggest so.

Technical Issues Snarl US Air, United Flights

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 03:56 PM PDT

Two airlines were ensnared in technological challenges over the weekend, resulting in flight delays and cancellations and thousands of disrupted passengers over the Father's Day holiday.

Syrian Army Tightens Grip in North

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 12:50 PM PDT

Syrian refugees fleeing a military campaign in the country's northwest are starting to run out of food, as military and security forces on Sunday blocked roads leading to the border with Turkey, activists said.

Boeing Continues to Assess 737 Redesign

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT

Boeing said it will "probably decide by year-end" whether to build a new small, twin-engine jet to replace its best-selling, 737 or decide, as Airbus did with its A320, to add new engines and other minor upgrades.

Berlusconi Ally Issues Demands for Support

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 10:23 AM PDT

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's key political ally threatened to pull the plug on the government unless the premier's administration cuts taxes and pulls Italian military forces out of Libya.

Libya Says NATO Strike Killed Civilians

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 11:53 AM PDT

The Libyan government said at least four civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike that hit a residential neighborhood in the capital. NATO said it is investigating.