MARKETS / FINANCE

The Commerce Department should have its own privacy office and develop voluntary, enforceable codes of conduct for data companies and advertisers that track people on the Internet, said a report by the department's Internet Policy Task Force.

The International Monetary Fund approved a 22.5 billion euro loan for Ireland on Thursday and said it was open to renegotiating parts of the bailout package with a new government provided its overall targets were adhered to.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Thursday released a long-awaited proposal to set position limits in commodity markets.

The following are highlights from a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission hearing on Thursday that introduced rules for swap execution facilities, and limits for speculative positions held by commodity traders.

The chief derivatives regulator on Thursday proposed making trading in the most popular swaps as transparent as stock exchanges, while trying to ensure that requirements for less popular swaps do not end up killing them.

New York City private employers hired 14,000 workers in November, outpacing New Jersey, whose governor just one day ago took credit for the addition of 9,300 employees.

European Union leaders have agreed to create a permanent financial safety net from 2013 and the European Central Bank moved to increase its firepower to fight the debt crisis that has rocked the euro zone.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should make use of Obama administration programs to help borrowers who owe more than their home is worth by writing down principal, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday.

Three technology company executives and a salesman for an expert network firm were arrested and charged with leaking confidential tips to hedge funds, including secret details about Apple Inc's iPad ahead of its launch.

The chief U.S. derivatives regulator on Thursday proposed a new plan to make trading in the most popular swaps as transparent as stock exchanges, while trying to ensure that requirements for less popular swaps don't end up killing them.

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to create a permanent financial safety net from 2013 and the European Central Bank moved to increase its firepower to fight the debt crisis that has rocked the euro zone.

The two largest U.S. bookstore chains have offered up a compelling cliffhanger this holiday season that will seal the fate of brick-and-mortar bookselling.

Moody's Investors Service put Greece's sovereign foreign currency credit rating on review for possible downgrade on Thursday, citing uncertainty over the country's ability to cut debt to sustainable levels.

AOL Inc bought Web advertising platform company Pictela expanding the types of online formats it offers to marketers.

The U.S. economy showed new signs the recovery was gaining traction, with data on Thursday that new claims for jobless aid fell last week and factory activity in the Mid-Atlantic region grew at its quickest pace in more than 5-1/2 years this month.

Tony Longoria had a way of talking about numbers in the technology industry that made him very popular with certain hedge fund managers.

News Corp's social networking site MySpace and Google Inc have reached a multiyear search and advertising agreement, ending months of uncertainty surrounding the partnership.

Congress was set to approve President Barack Obama's massive tax-cut bill on Thursday that is expected to boost the economy but pile onto a federal debt that some fear is nearing dangerous levels.

The European Central Bank moved to increase its financial firepower to fight the euro zone debt crisis on Thursday, and European Union leaders agreed to change the EU treaty to create a permanent crisis resolution system.

The price of corporate bailouts in 2008 and 2009 looks cheap compared to past crises, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday, while urging more drastic action from housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help homeowners.

Stocks, bucking a trend of late-day selloffs, ended higher on Thursday as economic bellwether FedEx offered a bullish profit outlook that augured well for broad growth.

Stocks, bucking a trend of late-day selloffs, ended higher on Thursday as economic bellwether FedEx offered a bullish profit outlook that augured well for broad growth.

U.S. stocks were modestly higher on Thursday after bellwether FedEx offered a bullish forecast, while trade was tight as investors continued to adjust toward year-end.

The chief U.S. derivatives regulator proposed on Thursday that swaps could be traded on venues as transparent as stock markets, a second attempt at rules to establish where big swap transactions will be brokered.

The U.S. Commerce Department should open a privacy office and work to develop voluntary but enforceable codes of conduct for data companies and advertisers tracking consumers on the Internet, said a report by the department's Internet Policy Task Force.

The International Monetary Fund approved a 22.5 billion euros loan for Ireland on Thursday and said it was open to re-negotiating parts of the bailout package with a new Irish government provided the overall targets were adhered to.

House of Representatives Democrats demanding a chance to blast the tax cut deal President Barack Obama struck with Republicans delayed a vote on the massive tax measure on Thursday, but House leaders said they still expected to pass the bill.

U.S. stocks rose on Thursday after bellwether FedEx offered a bullish forecast, while investors continued to pour money into shares that have done well this year.

Wholesale-market Gold Investment bullion-bar prices slipped back to an overnight low beneath $1380 per ounce Thursday lunchtime in London, trading 0.5% down for the week as world equities crept higher and the US Dollar eased back on the forex market.