IBT Staff Reporter

U.S. households continued to shave debt in the fourth quarter as mortgage balances declined, while there were tentative signs Americans are increasingly willing to spend, according to a report released on Monday by the New York Federal Reserve.

Feb 27, 2012

Mobile operator Vodafone has offered to join forces with rival firms to share the 30 billion euro ($40 billion) bill to build out new superfast fiber networks in Europe, in a sign of the increasing demands being placed on operators.

Feb 27, 2012

U.S. households continued to shave debt in the fourth quarter as mortgage balances declined, while there were tentative signs Americans are increasingly willing to spend, according to a report released on Monday by the New York Federal Reserve.

Feb 27, 2012

The FBI says it has enough informants lined up to keep its investigations of suspected illegal insider trading at hedge funds going for at least five more years.

Feb 27, 2012

Chancellor Angela Merkel managed to get a second Greek bailout approved in the German parliament on Monday without having to rely on the votes of opposition lawmakers, but she fell short of the wide majority needed for a convincing victory.

Feb 27, 2012

Stocks inched higher on Monday as oil prices retreated after recent sharp gains and data showed further improvement in the U.S. housing market.

Feb 27, 2012

General Motors Co is in advanced discussions to buy a small stake in French automaker Peugeot as part of their proposed strategic alliance in Europe, sources familiar with the situation said on Monday.

Feb 27, 2012

U.S. consumer debt fell a modest 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter as mortgage debt continued to decline, the New York Federal Reserve said on Monday.

Feb 27, 2012

Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes neared a two-year high in January, an industry group said on Monday, further evidence the housing market was slowly turning the corner.

Feb 27, 2012

Mexico's Cemex said on Monday it plans to exchange some of its debt for longer maturities in a deal that could help one of the world's leading cement makers save millions of dollars.

Feb 27, 2012

Despite the brave new workout world of streaming videos and smart phone exercise apps, the old-fangled fitness DVD has never been in better shape.

Feb 27, 2012

The S&P 500 edged higher in afternoon trading on Monday to hit its highest level since June 2008 as data showed continued improvement in the beaten-down U.S. housing market, adding to hopes for a strengthening economy.

Feb 27, 2012

Stocks edged higher on Monday, reversing early losses, as oil prices retreated from worrisome levels and new data showed continued improvement in the struggling U.S. housing market.

Feb 27, 2012

The politics of China's need for a smooth leadership succession this year provide the best protection against a hard economic landing, regardless of stuttering exports, faltering capital flows, local government debts and lingering inflation risks.

Feb 27, 2012

Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia unveiled a cheaper smartphone using Microsoft's Windows Phone software on Monday, aiming to win back market share by targeting a wider audience.

Feb 27, 2012

Warren Buffett resisted pressure on Monday to identify his successor as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway, saying the person who has been chosen does not even know it himself.

Feb 27, 2012

Stocks rebounded on Monday from near 1 percent losses after the open to turn flat in late morning trading.

Feb 27, 2012

Euro zone finance ministers will meet to discuss Greece and its private sector debt restructuring in Brussels on Thursday, the president of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, said on Monday.

Feb 27, 2012

Lowe's Cos , the world's second-largest home improvement chain, reported higher-than-expected quarterly sales as a warm winter prompted many homeowners to take up renovation projects that they normally save for the spring.

Feb 27, 2012

Nearly 10 percent of customers of U.S. banks moved their accounts last year, often after they became frustrated with fees and the quality of service, market research firm J.D. Power and Associates said on Monday.

Feb 27, 2012

Stocks opened lower on Monday following the S&P 500's four-year closing high last week and after the Group of 20 leading economies told Europe it must commit more money to fight the EU debt crisis before seeking broader help.

Feb 27, 2012

Nearly 10 percent of customers of U.S. banks moved their accounts last year, often after they became frustrated with fees and the quality of service, market research firm J.D. Power and Associates said on Monday.

Feb 27, 2012

Stock index futures fell on Monday in low volume following the S&P 500's four-year closing high last week and after the Group of 20 leading economies told Europe it must commit more money to fight the EU debt crisis before seeking broader help.

Feb 27, 2012

Japan's securities watchdog is investigating a small Tokyo-based broker, ITM Securities Co, over its possible role in a scandal involving the suspected disappearance of more than $2 billion in corporate pension funds, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Feb 27, 2012

Italy's cost of borrowing over six months sank towards 1 percent at an auction on Monday, the lowest in 17 months, as cheap loans from the European Central Bank fuelled banks' interest in lending to euro zone governments over the short-term.

Feb 27, 2012

Stock index futures fell Monday in low volume following the S&P 500's four-year closing high last week and after the Group of 20 leading economies told Europe it must commit more money to fight the EU debt crisis before seeking broader help.

Feb 27, 2012

EBay Inc forecast robust growth in its mobile commerce segment as the online commerce and auction site expects more people to shop and pay via smartphones.

Feb 27, 2012

State Grid Corp of China has had talks with U.S. power firm AES Corp about taking a controlling stake in its U.S. wind power business, three sources said, as China's cash-flush state-owned power companies go on an overseas buying spree.

Feb 27, 2012

HSBC Holdings, Europe's biggest bank, said paying rising wages in Brazil, China and other emerging market is the price of avoiding the slowdown being felt by most of its rivals as it posted the largest 2011 profit by a western bank.

Feb 27, 2012