NEW YORK

Oil giant BP said it would cut four quarters of dividends, significantly reduce its investment program and sell $10 billion of assets to fund a planned $20 billion fund to pay for its Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

A New Jersey woman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with running a $45 million Ponzi scheme in which she allegedly promised investors high returns from real estate, but instead used their money to repay other investors and gamble at casinos.

Stocks fell on Wednesday as FedEx warned about higher costs, housing starts fell to a five-month low and new concerns surfaced over Spain's fiscal problems.

Cablevision Systems announced a one-two punch to acquire Bresnan Communications for $1.37 billion and repurchase $500 million of its own stock, sending shares up 6.2 percent as investors cheered moves to expand its business while rewarding shareholders.

Gold firmed in Europe on Monday as expectations that government measures to address elevated sovereign debt levels may ultimately prove inflationary, and as investors bet interest rates will stay low.

Stock investors will keep a close eye on Europe this week, looking for signs the debt crisis may be stabilizing, while industrial production, housing starts and inflation data may offer more clues on the U.S. economic outlook.

U.S. stock investors will keep a close eye on Europe next week, looking for signs the debt crisis may be stabilizing, while industrial production, housing starts and inflation data may offer more clues on the U.S. economic outlook.

Sales at retailers unexpectedly fell in May for the first time since September, pulled down by a record slump in purchases of building materials, according to a government report on Friday that added to fears the economic recovery was losing some muscle.

Gold extended gains in Europe on Friday as weaker-than-expected U.S. retail sales data brought risk aversion back to the market, pressuring stocks and the euro and boosting interest in bullion as a safe haven.

Sales at retailers unexpectedly fell in May for the first time since September following a record slump in purchases of building materials, adding to fears the economic recovery was losing some steam.

The advisory panel also recommended post-marketing collection of additional safety data and evaluation of a lower dose

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a probe into a security breach of Apple Inc's iPad that exposed personal information of AT&T Inc customers.

Economic activity improved nationwide last month, but worries about Europe's debt crisis dented confidence, the Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book collection of anecdotal reports.

Wall Street was set for a higher open on Wednesday as Wall Street looked to build on gains in the prior session after unofficial data showed Chinese exports topped expectations, easing global recovery concerns.

Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc agreed to sell investigations unit Kroll to a firm led by former Marsh CEO Michael Cherkasky for $1.13 billion, less than the amount the insurance broker paid for it six years ago.

Once vilified, street art now carries a vast amount of cultural cache. Gone are the days when spray paint on a wall signified blight

U.S. nonfarm payrolls grew at their fastest pace in 10 years in May, buoyed by recruitment for the decennial census, but private hiring slowed sharply, disappointing investors looking for a stronger figure.

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday, tracking weakness in the euro, as tepid May sales from U.S. retailers curbed investor optimism ahead of what is expected to be a solid payroll report Friday.

Pending home sales hit a six-month high in April, data showed on Wednesday, but falling demand for home loans pointed to ebbing activity in the vital housing market due to the expiration of a popular tax credit for buyers.

U.S. pending home sales hit a six-month high in April but falling demand for home loans pointed to ebbing activity in the vital housing market due to the expiration of a popular tax credit for buyers.

Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes hit a six-month high in April, as prospective home owners took advantage of a popular homebuyer tax credit, a survey showed on Wednesday.