Markets close slightly higher, strong December seen
The S&P 500 headed for its best December in nearly two decades as U.S. stocks advanced in thin trade on Wednesday, lifted by investor optimism about the economy in 2011.
Meats will get nutrition labels
Beginning in January, 2012, nutrition labels will be required for meats, as they currently are for most other foods, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
U.S. announces new insider trading arrest
A California woman has been arrested on charges of leaking secrets about technology companies to hedge funds, as federal prosecutors expand their probe into insider trading.
Bigger year for commodities in 2011? Not all agree
Amid the chorus of commodity bulls and analysts predicting more rallies in 2011, some expect steep corrections if demand destruction sets in from high prices and big consumer China gets tougher against inflation.
Sony Playstation Phone Rumors Heat Up
A Japanese newspaper says the Sony Playstation Phone will hit North American and European markets in the spring.
Extend gains after strong 7-year auction
U.S. Treasuries extended price gains on Wednesday, with the 30-year bond rising over a point after a $29 billion auction of seven-year notes saw strong demand.
Big Four Networks Could Go Dark In Time Warner, Sinclair Flap
Time Warner Cable customers in several states could lose local stations that carry the big four networks at midnight on Dec. 31 if an agreement isn't reached with Sinclair Broadcasting.
S. Korea waves olive branch
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was forceful, even bellicose, in speaking about North Korea on Monday. But on Wednesday, Lee struck a conciliatory note, expressing a desire for dialogue with his country's difficult neighbor to the north
U.S. blizzard delays $1 billion in holiday sales
A blizzard in the U.S. Northeast this weekend postponed about $1 billion in holiday retail sales by keeping shoppers out of stores in the days after Christmas, research firm ShopperTrak said on Wednesday.
Justice Department seeks tougher CFTC and SEC swaps rules
The Justice Department wants swaps markets regulators to be a lot tougher in their proposals to limit banks from controlling swaps trading platforms, weighing in on rules that could be finalized as early as next month.
Microsoft Co-Founder Re-Files Patent Suit
Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen added details to the patent infringement lawsuit filed against Google, Apple, eBay, Facebook, Netflix, AOL, Yahoo!, Office Depot, OfficeMax and Staples in August.
Chile industry data soft, reaffirms rate pause view
Chile's industrial production rose 2.5 percent in November from a year ago, below market expectations in a sign of economic moderation that could prompt the central bank to hold its key rate steady in January.
Early Stage Trial Of Emergent BioSolutions' Anthrax Vaccine Starts
Rockville-based biopharmaceutical company Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced the start of a early-stage clinical trial for its third generation Anthrax vaccine candidate called NuThrax.
Paypal to help establish e-commerce hub in China's Chongqing mega city
American online payment service provider Paypal said it will help establish an international e-commerce hub in southwestern China to cash in on the nation’s fast-growing Internet sales market.
Bigger year for commods in 2011? Not all agree
Amid the chorus of commodity bulls and analysts predicting more rallies in 2011, some expect steep corrections if demand destruction sets in from high prices and big consumer China gets tougher against inflation.
Genomics makes for better chocolate
Who said investments in research don't pay off? Scientists from around the world are diligently working to make sure that the world's finest chocolate is better and more available.
Gold Price Breaks $1400, Hits New Euro & Sterling Highs, as Silver Price Gains 6%
The Gold Price in Euros broke fresh all-time highs overnight in Asian trade, hitting more than €34,500 per kilo - some 38% higher in 2010.
England inflicts innings defeat on Australia, retains the Ashes
England inflicted upon Australia one of their heaviest defeats with a margin of an innings and 157 runs to retain the Ashes on the fourth day of the fourth test at Melbourne.
China steps up fight against corruption
China is finally stepping up to fight corruption, which has been rated as the number one problem for progress. The country issued the first ever white paper on the nation's anti-graft efforts, Xinhua, the official news agency of the government said.
Hyundai Motors to set up 4 bln rupee plant in Gujarat
India's second largest carmaker Hyundai Motor today said it will invest 4 bln rupees ($100 mln)over the next three years to set up a diesel engine manufacturing plant in Gujarat with an installed capacity of 150,000 units per annum.
Citibank uncovers $100 mln banking fraud in India
Citibank has unearthed a banking fraud allegedly engineered by its relationship manager Shiv Raj Puri that could run up to $100 million at its Gurgaon branch in the north Indian state of Haryana.
Tips for stranded travellers
Snow storms are probably worst nightmares for air travellers, especially during holiday season. Scores of passengers in U.S. continue to curse their luck as the worst December snowstorm hit northeast. Here are some tips for snow-stranded travellers.
Microsoft co-founder relaunches tech patent suit
Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen relaunched a wide-ranging patent lawsuit against Apple Inc, Google Inc, Facebook and others with specific allegations that the companies are illegally using technology owned by his company.
Retail sales down 4.1 percent last week: report
Retail sales fell 4.1 percent in the week ending on Christmas Day, according to research firm ShopperTrak, largely because December 26 fell on a Sunday this year and was not included in Christmas week sales.
Patchy hiring to follow frenzy at European banks
Bankers specialising in equities and emerging markets will bask in a hiring hot-spot next year, while anaemic business spells job cuts in most other investment banking areas in Europe.
Home foreclosures jump in 3rd quarter: regulators
U.S. home foreclosures jumped in the third quarter and banks' efforts to keep borrowers in their homes dropped as the housing market continues to struggle, U.S. bank regulators said on Wednesday.
Spain reins in debt issuance ambitions in 2011
Spain aims to sell far less debt in 2011 than it did in 2010, keeping a lid on new issuance as it looks to balance deficit-reduction goals and a market seeking high returns to invest in peripheral euro zone economies.
S&P 500 eyes best December since 1991
U.S. stocks advanced in a thinly traded session on Wednesday with the S&P 500 eyeing its best December in nearly two decades as investors remained optimistic about the prospects for equities next year.
Stamps are forever
The U.S. Postal Service is emphasizing forever in 2011.
China's PBOC raises rediscount, relending rates
China's central bank raised rediscount rates for banks for the first time in two years and also raised the one-year relending rate, in yet another indication that bank is serious about tightening policy.