IBT Staff Reporter

Before you ask for a raise, the most important thing you need to remember is that you need a reason for asking for one. An employer is not just going to hand out extra money to you because they like you - you need to give them a compelling reason to do so.

U.S. chief executive officers' view of the economy reached a four-year high in the second quarter, with more planning to add jobs over the next six months, according to a Business Roundtable survey.

Brands that use microblogging sites like Twitter to provide real-time responses to the public are winning a higher degree of trust from consumers, according to a study by a leading public relations firm.

Some of the states hit hardest by the slump in housing prices will be able to tap into a special $1.5-billion fund on Wednesday that is intended to head off some foreclosures.

Mortgage applications fell from a six-month peak last week as the lowest interest rates in over a year failed to foster demand for refinancing or home purchase loans.

The euro is a flawed construct and Germany's budget savings policy is making it harder for other countries in the currency bloc to regain competitiveness, billionaire investor George Soros said on Wednesday.

Good Technology, one of the largest independent mobile phone business software providers, said it will expand its device management software to cover Apple's iPhone, potentially boosting corporate uptake of the iconic device.

Wall Street banks face a turning point on Wednesday as U.S. lawmakers are expected to spell out limits on a range of risky but lucrative trading practices in a sweeping rewrite of financial regulations.

Norway's Opera Software has parlayed access to the iPhone platform into an increased lead in the global mobile browser market over rivals, including iPhone maker Apple, independent data show.

Stocks dropped on Wednesday after data showed new home sales fell to its lowest level in at least four decades, adding to worries about a slowing economic recovery.

Sales of new single-family homes tumbled more than expected to a record low in May as the boost from a popular tax credit faded, according to a government report on Wednesday that added to worries of a slowing economic recovery.

Stocks fell sharply on Wednesday after data showed sales of new single-family homes tumbled more than expected to a record low in May.

Philip Morris International , which sells Marlboro cigarettes and other brands internationally, has cut its full-year earnings outlook, hurt by a weak euro since April.

The dollar was lower against the euro ahead of a decision on interest rates from the U.S. Federal Reserve, while sterling rose sharply as investors continued to view the UK budget positively.

Blanche Lincoln, one of the influential U.S. senators spearheading financial reform, is pushing for a change in the proposed bill to benefit a bank predominantly owned by the Walton family of Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the Wall Street Journal said.

Agricultural Bank of China has set a floor price for the Hong Kong portion of its $23 billion stock market listing, according to a report, while sources said key investors have agreed to buy $5.45 billion of the shares.

Germany's budget savings policy risks destroying the European project and a collapse of the euro cannot be ruled out, billionaire investor George Soros said in a newspaper interview released on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia is facing a challenge to push a planned Gulf monetary union forward as the economic power of fellow oil exporters rises, limiting the appeal of the project. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain are pursuing the long-delayed project after the United Arab Emirates withdrew in protest last year, three years after Oman did the same.

Wall Street was poised to open higher on Wednesday after the previous day's tumble and with the Federal Reserve expected to reassure investors it won't move too soon on its tightening policy.

Gold's high prices have come as a godsend for diamond jewellery sector as more and more people are now opting for the sparklers.

Oil extended losses below $78 a barrel on Wednesday after U.S. industry data showed a surprise jump in crude and gasoline stocks, and investors looked to government figures later in the day for confirmation.

Veteran hedge fund manager Bill Browder is buying commodities and the companies that produce them in emerging markets to profit from what he called a looming crisis in the world's major currencies.

China recently agreed to make yuan flexible by ending its peg to the dollar. This move was welcomed by several nations, including India.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday after the previous day's tumble with the Federal Reserve expected to reassure investors it won't move too soon on its tightening policy.

If the outsized moves in the Chinese yuan this week were anything to go by, China is taking a significant step toward achieving its dream of becoming a global financial center by 2020.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday after the previous day's tumble as investors expect a statement from the Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee that it will keep interest rates exceptionally low for an extended period.

China's yuan eked out a tiny gain on Wednesday after its biggest swings since 2005 earlier this week, suggesting Beijing's promise of currency flexibility will not produce the rapid gains its trading partners would like.

Slowly, gold import is picking up momentum in India with the Diamond India (DIL), formed by 58 diamond manufacturers for the direct import of rough diamonds, announcing that it will import around 100 kg of gold in July.

IPhone chief Steve Jobs and his tech titan friends take an unusual consulting opportunity on Wednesday: helping Russian President Dmitry Medvedev turn around his creaky economy.