All Latest News Wires
- Capital gains tax: a way to fund schools?Capital gains tax proposed by a Washington State Democrat as a way to fund education. But a capital gains tax would require bipartisan effort as legislature works to address a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall.
- Social Security retirees can't ditch Medicare, court rulesSocial Security recipients sued to opt out of Medicare, saying the benefit limits their private insurance coverage. But federal appeals court rules they can't reject Medicare if they receive Social Security.
- Stocks rise; Dow approaches 13000The Dow is within reach of the rarefied 13000 mark — a level it hasn't seen since May 2008, four months before the financial system almost came apart.
- Foreclosure deal close in several key statesForeclosure deal adopted in more than 40 US states would force mortgage lenders to reduce loans for about 1 million households. Two key states, New York and California, are close to adopting the foreclosure deal.
- Best time for a Greek default? It's now.Greek default now would prove less of a shock to stocks, especially in buoyant emerging markets and the US, which is off to its best start in 15 years. But Greek default probably would be first of several sovereign defaults.
- Stocks fall as Greek debt talks dragThe Dow fell 17 points to close at 12845 as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh cost-cutting package required for the country to get more bailout loans.
- Stock market: Futures slide on Greek indecisionStock market looks to open lower as emergency talks fail to produce Greek rescue package. A disorderly Greek default could send shock waves through the stock market.
- Super Bowl ads battle for top spotSuper Bowl ads ranged from overweight dogs to naked M&Ms. In the end, the game between the Patriots and Giants outshone the Super Bowl ads.
- Solar energy subsidies: sticky wicket for Tea Party recipient?Solar energy tax credits benefited firms owned by Tea Party Republican running for the US Senate. But Mark Neumann, who decries Obama stimulus plan, got the solar energy credits under President Bush.
- Retirement savings plan: more transparency, more choice?Retirement savings plan – the 401(k) – would give clearer guidance on fees and offer retirees more options, according to new proposed rules. One proposal would allow part of a retirement savings plan to convert to an annuity.
- Veterans jobs corps: beating swords into plowshares?Veterans jobs initiative, proposed by President Obama, would create 20,000 veterans jobs in public conservation work and cost $1 billion over five years.
- Jobs report boosts Dow to four-year highA drop in the unemployment rate to its lowest in three years propelled the Dow Jones industrial average Friday to its highest close since before the 2008 financial crisis. The Dow jumped 156 points to close at 12862.
- Tech stocks bask in Facebook's glowTech stocks related to social media, like Groupon and Zynga, see shares rise after Facebook IPO. But boost for these tech stocks could be temporary.
- Facebook IPO: CEO is ruler. Can shareholders win?Facebook IPO makes clear that CEO Zuckerberg dominates the company with more than half the board votes. But studies suggest that might benefit shareholders long after the Facebook IPO.
- Mortgage rates: new record lows. Again.Mortgage rates drop to 3.87 percent for a fixed 30-year loan; 15-year fixed mortgage rates fall to 3.14 percent. That's the lowest in more than a half century of data.
- Strong manufacturing data boosts stocksStocks climbed Wednesday after strong manufacturing data and encouraging reports about the Greek debt crisis. The Dow rose 83 points to close at 12716.
- American Airlines plans to cut 13,000 jobsAmerican Airlines, the nation's third-largest airline, would eliminate about 15 percent of its workforce. The move comes as part of American Airlines' bankruptcy protection plan.
- Tornado tourism: Should Joplin, Mo., mourn – or cash in?Tornado tourism debate is dividing Joplin, Mo., scene of a devastating twister in 2011. Tornado tourism could promote the city's recovery, visitors bureau says.
- AMZN stock plummets. Earnings disappoint.AMZN (Amazon stock) opens 10 percent lower after its quarterly earnings report falls short of Wall Street expectations. AMZN net income in fourth quarter was down 57 percent from a year earlier.
- Dow, S&P have best start in 15 yearsThe Dow Jones industrial average rose 3.4 percent in January and the Standard & Poor 500 gained 4.4 percent, the best performances for both indexes to open a year since 1997.