MARKETS / FINANCE

It turns out, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's 'lamestream media' descriptive doesn't apply to just American journalists. It applies to journalists in the United Kingdom, as well, in the ex-governor's interpretation, following a British tabloid's story about a documentary made about her.

Pimco chief Mohamed El-Erian on Thursday put low odds on a third round of U.S. monetary stimulus unless there is a major further deterioration in the U.S. economic outlook.

New York Attorney General Eric Schniederman on Thursday said JPMorgan Chase had reached a settlement with New York and 24 other states over anti-competitive conduct in municipal bond derivatives.

Wall Street jumped on Thursday after signs of life in the labor market and strong sales at some U.S. retailers lifted optimism in the economy ahead of Friday's key June jobs report.

Top U.S. retailers reported better-than-expected sales for June after luring shoppers with bargains that analysts and shoppers alike say they will have to keep up for back-to-school.

President Barack Obama and congressional leaders searched on Thursday for ways to break a deadlock over spending and taxes, and there were some glimmers of a potential compromise that would avoid a debt default.

UBS AG's admission that it may not reach profit goals and that new regulation has changed the game in investment banking is likely to fuel further doubts over its ambitions in fixed income, where it still trails rivals.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday after a sharp rise in private-sector jobs raised expectations of a solid U.S. employment report for June.

ROME, July 7 - International banks, under pressure from European governments to help with another Greek bailout, discussed buying back the country's bonds in another attempt to stitch together a rescue plan after a French initiative failed.

The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the second time in three months on Thursday and signaled a further hike is likely this year to tackle inflation despite the intensifying euro zone debt crisis.

International bankers and European Union officials failed to make progress on Thursday in securing a private sector contribution to a second bailout of Greece and bond yields climbed on concern about the scheme.

JPMorgan Chase was ordered to pay more than $35 million to settle allegations that employees participated in a bid-rigging scheme for derivatives sold to municipalities and non-profit organizations.

NYSE Euronext shareholders approved a $9.6 billion takeover of the American exchange operator by Germany's Deutsche Boerse AG on Thursday, moving the focus across the Atlantic where the deal faces its toughest battles.

President Barack Obama and congressional leaders searched on Thursday for ways to break a deadlock over spending and taxes, and there were some glimmers of a potential compromise that would avoid a debt default.

Wall Street climbed on Thursday after a report showing a rise in private-sector jobs and strong sales at retailers lifted optimism in the economy.

U.S. private employers added far more jobs than expected in June, bouncing back from a surprise slump the month before, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Thursday.

The New York Stock Exchange, an icon of American capitalism, moved closer to ceding control to a German company on Thursday after investors threw their support behind a $9.4 billion takeover by Deutsche Boerse AG .

International banks, under pressure from European governments to roll over their holdings of Greek debt, tried again to come up with a joint rescue plan on Thursday after talks over a French proposal fell apart.

Stocks climbed on Thursday after a sharp rise in private-sector jobs raised expectations of a solid U.S. employment report for June.

Top U.S. retailers reported better-than-expected sales gains for June after smartly targeted bargains lured shoppers contending with a wobbly economy.

Stocks rose after the open on Thursday after data showed an improvement in the labor market ahead of Friday's key U.S. government monthly payrolls report.

Apple is rumored to release its most anticipated iPhone 5 in September.

U.S. private employers stepped up hiring in June and the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week, strengthening views the economy is positioned for a pick-up in the second half.

It's a small world, after all. For U.S. readers and investors, Greece may seem like some small, exotic European country, but that could not be further from the truth. From an interest rate standpoint, if Greece defaults on its debt, U.S. interest rates, including home mortgage rates, are likely to rise.

The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the second time this year on Thursday, tightening policy to address above-target inflation in the euro zone despite the intensifying debt crisis in Greece.

U.S. private employers added far more jobs than expected in June, bouncing back from a surprise slump the month before, a report by payrolls processor ADP showed on Thursday.

The New York Stock Exchange, an icon of American capitalism, took a crucial step toward ceding control to a German company on Thursday, as investors threw their support behind a planned merger.

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, government data showed on Thursday, but distortions associated with the holiday weekend and a government shutdown in one state made it difficult to get a clear view of the labor market.

Top U.S. retailers are on pace to report better-than-expected sales gains for June after bargains lured shoppers contending with a wobbly economy.