"Wallstreet" Reader

"Wallstreet" Reader

New York Probes Private-Equity Tax Practices

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 08:03 PM PDT

A New York investigation into the tax practices of the private-equity industry is looking for potential wrongdoing ranging from delay of tax payments to avoidance of them entirely.


U.S. Hones Plans for Big Bailout of Egypt

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 06:31 PM PDT

U.S. diplomats are closing in on an agreement to dole out $1 billion in debt relief to Egypt, part of an offensive that Washington hopes will help shore up the country's economy and prevent its new Islamist leadership from drifting beyond America's foreign-policy orbit.

China Coal Sector Has Safety Setback

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 06:17 PM PDT

Some 76 people have been killed in three Chinese coal-mining accidents since Aug. 13, putting the spotlight back on a fast-expanding Chinese coal mining sector that remains the world's deadliest.

Cotton-Contact Crackdown

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 06:40 PM PDT

Cotton industry leaders are seeking to toughen measures to ensure that companies can't flout arbitration decisions stemming from disputes in the $70 billion market.

Assessing Fannie's Past and Future

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:24 PM PDT

Deciding what sort of housing-finance system should replace the one now dominated by Fannie and Freddie is an arduous task. The basic question: Should the U.S. return to a free market in home loans?

Small TV Stations' Airwaves Attract Investors

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 05:13 PM PDT

Small TV stations face a tougher time than most competing with cable and the Web. But some investors are snapping them up, betting on a surge in the value of their airwaves.

Xerox Eyed in Texas Medicaid Probe

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 05:23 PM PDT

Texas authorities are investigating whether Xerox Corp. played a role in allowing dentists to allegedly overbill the state's Medicaid system by millions of dollars.

U.S. Steel, Union Reach Tentative Pact

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 08:01 PM PDT

The United Steelworkers announced a tentative three-year labor deal that covers 16,000 employees at U.S. Steel Corp. The union's talks with ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, continue.


U.K. Manufacturing Contracts

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 05:38 PM PDT

The U.K.'s manufacturing sector contracted for a fourth straight month in August, though less than in the previous three months, as rising domestic demand supported new orders, production levels and an increase in employment.

Campari Buys Jamaican Rum Maker

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 04:19 PM PDT

Campari, maker of the iconic red Italian spirit, became the latest European drinks maker to snap up a local producer in the Americas with the acquisition of Jamaican rum maker Lascelles deMercado.

Guggenheim to Buy Dick Clark Firm

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 08:03 PM PDT

Guggenheim Partners has agreed to buy Dick Clark Productions. The value of the deal could not be learned, but an official announcement is expected as soon as Tuesday morning.


Chinese Backlash Hits Short Seller

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 06:19 PM PDT

Many prominent technology leaders in China are mounting an offensive against short seller Citron Research as they protest a spate of what they call unfair and inaccurate attacks on U.S.-listed Chinese companies.

Canaccord Hires BofA Banker as Europe CEO

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 06:43 PM PDT

Canaccord Financial, a Canadian securities firm in the midst of an international expansion, is hiring high-profile London investment banker Alexis de Rosnay to be its European CEO.

Summer Box Office Falters, Closing With a Record Dud

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 04:54 PM PDT

This summer's North American movie box office take was down 2.8% from the summer of 2011, bringing in $4.28 billion, from $4.4 billion. Meanwhile, the children's movie "The Oogieloves" earned the dubious distinction of having the worst opening of all time.

Luxury Firms Lavish Perks on China VIPs

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 02:02 PM PDT

Luxury companies have grown in China, and so have the lengths to which they will go to make Chinese consumers feel special.

U.K. Suspends Awarding of Rail Contract

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 03:58 PM PDT

The U.K. government said it has postponed an agreement awarding the West Coast rail line franchise to First Group PLC following a legal challenge by rival bidder Virgin Rail Group.

French Aid Could Spell End for CCCIF

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 04:50 PM PDT

Government officials and people close to CCCIF said they expect antitrust authorities to order the lender to wind down as a condition for approving state emergency assistance.

Rivals Try to Beat Apple to the Punch

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 04:21 PM PDT

Amazon.com, Motorola Mobility and Nokia are crowding this week with announcements for new hand-held devices in an effort to get ahead of Apple's introduction of its next iPhone.

Samsung Reviews Chinese Supplier

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 12:46 PM PDT

Samsung said it found some problems with working conditions at the plant of one of its suppliers in China but no evidence of the use of staff under the legal working age of 16.

Drug Firm Valeant to Acquire Medicis

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 08:00 PM PDT

Valeant agreed to buy Medicis for $2.6 billion in a deal that will give the company heft in dermatology, including treatment of acne and wrinkles.