msnbc.com: U.S. business

Accounting rule helps boost some newspapers

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:24:31 GMT

While U.S. newspapers are losing subscribers at a staggering rate, a few dailies stand out because their circulation is rising. But they aren't necessarily selling more copies.

Newspaper - Publishers - Directories - United States - Associations

Microsoft, News Corp. discuss Web deal

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:53:07 GMT

Microsoft has had talks with News Corp about a deal where News Corp gets paid to take its news Web sites off Google, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

Congress is losing its patience with the Fed

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:01:23 GMT

Suddenly the Federal Reserve is everybody's punching bag.

United States Congress - Government - Federal Reserve System - Finance - Central Banks

BofA may reportedly extend search for CEO

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:08:54 GMT

Bank of America may extend its search for a new chief executive into next year if its board is unable to pick a candidate in the next four days, according to a Bloomberg report.

Bank of America - Chief executive officer - Bloomberg L.P. - Business - United States

Cities find the fine print is costing millions

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:22:06 GMT

Local governments and public entities, already reeling from the recession, face another fiscal crisis: billions of dollars in fees owed to Wall Street firms on investment deals gone bad.

Wall Street - Recession - Business - Financial services - Investing

Report: Hershey may launch bid for Cadbury

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:16:23 GMT

Hershey Co. may make a $17 billion bid for UK candy company Cadbury PLC, topping the recent $16.5 billion hostile offer by Kraft Foods Inc., the Wall Street Journal reports Friday.

Kraft Foods - Cadbury PLC - Wall Street Journal - Business - Confectionery

Chase drops arbitration from card contracts

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:14:09 GMT

JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped a clause from its credit card contracts that required disputes with customers to be handled through binding arbitration.

Credit card - JPMorgan Chase - Business - Arbitration - Financial services

U.S. airlines' passenger revenue falls

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:42:43 GMT

Passenger revenue among U.S. airlines fell 15 percent in October compared to the same month last year, an industry trade group said Friday.

United States - Trade association - U.S - Airline - Business

Investors to Goldman: Be less greedy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:05:18 GMT

Big shareholders at Goldman Sachs have asked the U.S. bank, on track to deliver $20 billion in bonuses, to pass more profit to investors after it quadrupled quarterly net profit.

GoldmanSachs - United States - Business - Financial services - Banking Services

Will Ferrell is Hollywood's most overpaid star

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:14:15 GMT

Will Ferrell and British actor Ewan McGregor headed a Forbes.com list of Hollywood's most overpaid stars when looking at the financial returns of their movies.

Will Ferrell - Ewan McGregor - Forbes - Hollywood - Movies

RV industry no longer running on empty

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:43:17 GMT

There are signs of recovery in the nation's heartland, including Elkhart, Ind., but the rebound is faint, uneven and faces many threats.

Recreational vehicle - Business - Camping - Recreation - Outdoors

Long-term unemployed face dwindling options

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:04:28 GMT

For Lawrie Covey and millions of other unemployed workers, life remains a day-to-day struggle. Instead of working on RVs in a factory, she may soon be living in one.

Unemployment - Business - Insurance - Financial services - Health

AOL to shed one-third of work force

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:32:42 GMT

AOL, an Internet company struggling to adapt to an advertising-driven economy, is looking to shed more than a third of its work force as it prepares to spin off from Time Warner next month.

Time Warner - AOL - Spin-off - Access Providers - Member Help and Advice

House panel votes to audit Federal Reserve

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:28:37 GMT

A key House committee voted to assess upfront fees on large financial firms to pay for the failure of their peers and to require a congressional audit of the secretive Federal Reserve.

United States Secretary of the Treasury - Timothy Geithner - United States Congress - Business - United States

Wells Fargo to repay $1.3 billion to investors

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:30:51 GMT

Wells Fargo Investments LLC will repay about $1.3 billion to clients whose funds were frozen in the auction-rate securities market in the latest of a series of settlements with state securities regulators, an industry association said on Wednesday.

Wells Fargo - Security - Business - Investing - Investor

'Seinfeld' shop owner hit with tax charges

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:47:43 GMT

Prosecutors say the owner of a storied New York City bagel business shortchanged the state out of a lot of dough by cheating on taxes.

New York City - Seinfeld - New York - United States - Tax

Judge rejects AT&T’s bid to pull Verizon ad

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:21:36 GMT

A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request by AT&T Inc. to force competitor Verizon Wireless to pull its "There's a Map for That" commercials.

AT&T - Verizon Wireless - Wireless - IPhone - Telecommunications

Billionaire’s divorce could be lucrative for U.S.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:57:23 GMT

The U.S. government could collect billions of dollars in court-ordered restitution under a new divorce decree between former Cendant chairman Walter Forbes and his wife of 27 years.

Federal government of the United States - Walter Forbes - Law - U.S. government - Forbes

Goldman, Buffett to help small businesses

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:13:34 GMT

Goldman Sachs is teaming with billionaire investor Warren Buffett to invest $500 million to help small business owners across America.

Warren Buffett - Goldman Sachs - Business - Small business - Lloyd Blankfein

Survey shows U.S. behind in sick pay, benefits

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:00:41 GMT

The United States lags far behind other nations in offering paid sick days, paid parental leave and other workplace benefits.

United States - Sick leave - Parental leave - U.S - Government

Obama orders task force to fight financial crime

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:38:11 GMT

The Obama administration created a new task force on Tuesday vowing to crack down on financial fraud following a rise in mortgage scams and high-profile Wall Street trading scandals.

Wall Street - Presidency of Barack Obama - United States - Business - Obama

Lawmakers trade barbs over BofA, Merrill deal

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:18:14 GMT

A senior House Democrat said Tuesday the government didn't force Bank of America to take over Merrill Lynch, but Republicans charged that a inquiry was part of a cover-up.

Merrill Lynch - Bank of America - Business - Republican - United States

Tobacco firms exploit loophole to save millions

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:22:55 GMT

With a simple marketing twist, tobacco companies are avoiding hundreds of millions of dollars a year in taxes by exploiting a loophole in President Barack Obama's child health law.

Barack Obama - Tobacco industry - Marketing - Law - Health

Costco stops carrying Coca-Cola products

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:10:14 GMT

Costco customers may have to look elsewhere for Coca-Cola products now that the retailer has stopped carrying them because the pair are fighting over prices.

Coca-Cola - Soft drink - Business - Retail - Costco

Big companies party like it’s 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:32:34 GMT

Some of the nation’s large companies — and particularly those that have received government funding —are reining in their 2009 holiday party plans.

Government - Parties - Politics - Society and Culture - Shopping

N.Y. newspapers raided in union probe

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:43:14 GMT

A law enforcement official says the New York Police Department raided circulation offices at some of the nation's largest newspapers as part of a union corruption probe.

Police - New York City Police Department - New York City - Law Enforcement - Law

Microsoft co-founder Allen treated for cancer

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:27:28 GMT

Microsoft Corp. co-founder and billionaire investor Paul Allen has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy.

Paul Allen - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma - Cancer - Microsoft - Health

Madoff's 55-foot yacht put on auction block

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:30:10 GMT

Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff's 55-foot (16.7-meter) yacht named "Bull" and two smaller boats are heading for the auction block in Florida.

BernardMadoff - Florida - Auction - Business - Yacht

Watchdog says government overpaid on AIG

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:32:33 GMT

Officials managing the multibillion dollar bailout of insurance giant American International Group Inc. bungled the first rescue and may have overpaid.

American International Group - Government - Insurance - Business - Financial Services

CEO is stepping down from beleaguered GMAC

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:25:43 GMT

GMAC Financial Services says CEO Alvaro de Molina is stepping down and will be replaced by board member Michael A. Carpenter.

GMAC - Business - Financial services - United States - Financial Planning

Post office was $3.8 billion in the red last year

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:40:03 GMT

The Postal Service reported a net loss of $3.8 billion for 2008, about $1 billion more than the previous year.

Post office - Postal Service - Government - Government-Related Organizations - United States

Report: Credit card delinquencies increase

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:19:31 GMT

Credit card defaults fell more than expected in October, but delinquencies rose in a sign that consumers remain under stress and the sector can expect more pain ahead, credit card companies reported on Monday.

Credit card - Business - Personal Finance - Home - Money Management

Cisco raises bid for Tandberg to $3.4 billion

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:37:41 GMT

Cisco Systems Inc. said Monday it raised its bid for Norway's Tandberg ASA after only a fraction of Tandberg shareholders agreed to Cisco's initial offer.

Cisco Systems - Norway - Tandberg - Vendors - Data Communications

Beazer Homes CEO could face civil charges

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:29:01 GMT

Federal regulators have notified Beazer Homes USA Inc. that its top executive could face civil charges over incentive compensation.

Beazer Homes USA - Business - Human resources - Workers' Compensation - Compensation and Benefits

Madoff's Mets jacket sells for $14,500

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:43:10 GMT

Items once belonging to Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff and his wife fetched as much as 20 times their estimated value at a New York City auction on Saturday.

New York - New York City - Rolex - United States - Shopping

NYT: Drug firms raise prices ahead of reform

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:23:54 GMT

Even as drug makers vow to support the health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation’s drug costs, the industry has been raising its prices at the fastest rate in years.

Health care - New York Times - Health - Health Policy - Industry

Ex-Madoff computer programmers arrested

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:45:52 GMT

Two computer programmers designed codes to falsify thousands of fake trade blotters and for swindler Bernard Madoff and took hush money, U.S. authorities said.

Bernard Madoff - Federal Bureau of Investigation - Business - FBI - Investing

Ford: New police cruiser to replace Crown Vic

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:31:53 GMT

Ford Motor Co. said Friday it plans to sell a new police cruiser vehicle to replace its Crown Victoria "Police Interceptor" once the sedan is phased out of production in 2011.

Ford Crown Victoria - Ford Motor Company - Police car - Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor - Police

No front-runner for next Bank of America CEO

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:24:30 GMT

With Bank of America Corp. CEO Ken Lewis retiring in less than seven weeks, analysts don't see any candidate emerging as a front-runner for his successor.

Bank of America - Ken Lewis - Business - Financial Services - Banking Services

Report: Playboy in talks to be sold

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:55:06 GMT

Shares of Playboy Enterprises Inc. soared Thursday on a report that the men's magazine publisher is in talks to sell its business to Iconix Brand Group Inc.

Business - Playboy Enterprises - Iconix Brand Group - People - Men

Intel to pay AMD $1.25 billion to settle lawsuits

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:04:31 GMT

Intel is paying rival Advanced Micro Devices $1.25 billion to squash a legal battle over Intel's sales tactics, a rift that led to antitrust charges against Intel in several countries.

Advanced Micro Devices - Intel Corporation - Lawsuit - Hardware - Processors

Medical marijuana business is growing ... up

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:03:45 GMT

In the few places that allow storefront dispensaries, entrepreneurs are adopting nonprofit business models to cope with legal gray areas

Medical cannabis - Drugs - Business - Health - Illegal

What a steal! Madoff’s homes get price cut

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:46:37 GMT

Asking prices for homes once occupied by Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff in Manhattan's Upper East Side and in Palm Beach, Florida, have been cut, after about two months on the market.

Bernard Madoff - Upper East Side - Florida - Palm Beach Florida - PonziScheme

Applied Materials to cut 1,300 to 1,500 jobs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:42:19 GMT

Applied Materials is laying off 1,300 to 1,500 people over the next year and a half to cut costs as the company grapples with a downturn in business.

Applied Materials - Business - Technology - Business and Economy - China

Hewlett-Packard to purchase 3Com Corp.

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:18:05 GMT

Hewlett-Packard will acquire 3Com Corp. in a deal valued at $2.7 billion.

Hewlett-Packard - 3Com - HP - Hardware - Product Support

Frustrated AIG CEO tells employees he’ll stay

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:57:47 GMT

American International Group Inc.'s CEO Robert Benmosche said Wednesday he plans to stay in his job at the embattled insurer.

American International Group - Government - Robert Benmosche - United States - Health

JPMorgan Chase adding 1,200 mortgage officers

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:09:55 GMT

JPMorgan Chase & Co. said Tuesday it will hire 1,200 mortgage loan officers by the end of next year, a 60 percent increase in its sales force.

Bear Stearns execs acquitted of subprime fraud

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:52:59 GMT

Two former Bear Stearns hedge-fund managers have been acquitted of lying to investors about the implosion of the subprime mortgage market.

Madoff associate wills fortune to charity

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:02:49 GMT

A man who made billions of dollars off Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme signed a will leaving the bulk of his fortune to charity.

Adobe to cut about 680 full-time jobs

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:35:39 GMT

Adobe Systems said Tuesday it is cutting 680 full-time jobs, or about 9 percent of its work force, to align costs with its fiscal 2010 budget.

Adobe Systems - Workforce - Business - Employment - Job Search

European ruling may endanger Sun-Oracle deal

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:30:26 GMT

The European Commission has objected to Oracle Corp's acquisition of computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc., throwing the $7 billion deal into question.

FedEx projects busier holiday peak

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:52:54 GMT

FedEx forecasts it will ship 13 million packages on Dec. 14, which it expects to be its busiest day this year, up more than 8 percent over last year

Newsweek: A hedge fund's greatest trade ever

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:31:26 GMT

How hedge fund manager John Paulson bet against real estate bubble and made $15 billion in a single year.

Metropolitan Home magazine to close

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:27:23 GMT

Metropolitan Home says it will cease publication with its December issue, the latest home decor magazine to succumb to the industry's advertising slump.

AIG likely to be able to repay U.S.: Moody's

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:48:47 GMT

AIG has made tangible progress on its restructuring plan and will likely be able to repay the government's loan and much of its preferred equity stake, Moody's said on Monday.

Apple can see Microsoft on the horizon

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:28:20 GMT

Apple’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes has propelled its market value to $180 billion, raising the possibility that it could challenge Microsoft for the technology crown.

Fed: GMAC will still need more bailout money

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:03:14 GMT

The Federal Reserve says GMAC is the only one of 19 stress-tested U.S. banks that needs more capital to withstand a future downturn.

Pfizer to close research plants, slash jobs

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:46:00 GMT

The world's biggest drugmaker said Monday it is closing six of its 20 research facilities and cutting the jobs of roughly 15 percent of its scientists and support staff.

GE, Comcast agree on NBC Universal’s worth

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 02:59:18 GMT

General Electric Co. and Comcast Corp have agreed on a valuation of around $30 billion for NBC Universal.

Could health care reform lead to hidden taxes?

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:09:01 GMT

To pay for the near trillion-dollar health-care system overhaul, many outside the White House believe the middle class will not be spared when it comes to hidden taxes.

msnbc.com: U.S. business

Accounting rule helps boost some newspapers

Microsoft, News Corp. discuss Web deal

Congress is losing its patience with the Fed

BofA may reportedly extend search for CEO

Cities find the fine print is costing millions

Report: Hershey may launch bid for Cadbury

Chase drops arbitration from card contracts

U.S. airlines' passenger revenue falls

Investors to Goldman: Be less greedy

Will Ferrell is Hollywood's most overpaid star

RV industry no longer running on empty

Long-term unemployed face dwindling options

AOL to shed one-third of work force

House panel votes to audit Federal Reserve

Wells Fargo to repay $1.3 billion to investors

'Seinfeld' shop owner hit with tax charges

Judge rejects AT&T’s bid to pull Verizon ad

Billionaire’s divorce could be lucrative for U.S.

Goldman, Buffett to help small businesses

Survey shows U.S. behind in sick pay, benefits

Obama orders task force to fight financial crime

Lawmakers trade barbs over BofA, Merrill deal

Tobacco firms exploit loophole to save millions

Costco stops carrying Coca-Cola products

Big companies party like it’s 2009

N.Y. newspapers raided in union probe

Sponsored By:

Microsoft co-founder Allen treated for cancer

Madoff's 55-foot yacht put on auction block

Watchdog says government overpaid on AIG

CEO is stepping down from beleaguered GMAC

Post office was $3.8 billion in the red last year

Report: Credit card delinquencies increase

Cisco raises bid for Tandberg to $3.4 billion

Beazer Homes CEO could face civil charges

Madoff's Mets jacket sells for $14,500

NYT: Drug firms raise prices ahead of reform

Ex-Madoff computer programmers arrested

Ford: New police cruiser to replace Crown Vic

No front-runner for next Bank of America CEO

Report: Playboy in talks to be sold

Sponsored By:

Intel to pay AMD $1.25 billion to settle lawsuits

Medical marijuana business is growing ... up

What a steal! Madoff’s homes get price cut

Applied Materials to cut 1,300 to 1,500 jobs

Hewlett-Packard to purchase 3Com Corp.

Frustrated AIG CEO tells employees he’ll stay

JPMorgan Chase adding 1,200 mortgage officers

Bear Stearns execs acquitted of subprime fraud

Madoff associate wills fortune to charity

Adobe to cut about 680 full-time jobs

European ruling may endanger Sun-Oracle deal

FedEx projects busier holiday peak

Newsweek: A hedge fund's greatest trade ever

Metropolitan Home magazine to close

AIG likely to be able to repay U.S.: Moody's

Apple can see Microsoft on the horizon

Fed: GMAC will still need more bailout money

Pfizer to close research plants, slash jobs

GE, Comcast agree on NBC Universal’s worth

Could health care reform lead to hidden taxes?

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