DEALS

Former Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) Vice Chairman Gene Taylor is putting together a fund to invest in U.S. banks after a bid to inject capital into a small Florida bank fell apart, sources familiar with the matter said.

Buyouts are finally returning for the deal-hungry private equity industry, which is looking at 2010 to deploy huge cash reserves into deals that buyers hope could get back up to double-digit billions.

Cuba and Venezuela are set to sign cooperation deals worth about $3 billion later on Saturday, underscoring Caracas' role as the communist-run island's closest political and commercial ally.

The United States spent blood and treasure on an Iraq invasion critics said was for oil, but U.S. oil majors were largely absent from an Iraqi auction of oil deals snapped up instead by Russian, Chinese and other firms.

A new U.S. securities regulatory investigation into potential insider trading began in mid-November with the issuance of subpoenas to a number of hedge funds that may have gotten an advance word on corporate takeovers, said people familiar with the matter.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday it would be irresponsible to amend gas supply contracts with Ukraine, in a sign that Moscow will offer no more concessions to its ex-Soviet neighbour on gas payments.

British oil giant BP has begun cleaning up a second pipeline leak at its Prudhoe Bay operations in Alaska this week, after fluid spilled from a flow line on Wednesday.

U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group plans to announce two or three deals soon in Brazil, Latin America's largest economy, co-founder David Rubenstein said on Wednesday.

A group of U.S. senators urged President Barack Obama Monday to back legislation requiring the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and a long list of other trade pacts they blame for millions of lost U.S. manufacturing jobs.

More technology companies went public this year despite a world economy still trying to find its footing, and that is a good sign the pace of tech initial public offerings might accelerate in 2010.

A focus on bargains pulled U.S. shoppers into stores and onto websites over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but many said they would stick to their budgets and avoid purchases if they couldn't find a good deal.

The growing influence of the Web to distribute news, video and other content, combined with the lingering economic malaise, have left many media executives and investors uncertain about where to make their next bets.

Major department stores in the U.S. such as Macy's, JCPenney and Sears kicked off Black Friday deals on Friday including big discounts on fine jewelry.

Retailers across the country have slashed prices on various goods in their stores.

Black Friday 2009 deals are everywhere online and now Apple has jumped onto the retailer's haven bandwagon with its TGI Apple Black Friday 2009 specials. The Apple Black Friday 2009 Ad Flyer has been leaked online to BGR and according to the source, online shoppers are in for great deals.

When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened, but even more bargain-hungry customers cross their thresholds.

When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened but even more bargain hungry customers cross their thresholds.

Procter & Gamble Co does not see acquisitions as a core part of its growth plan and has started to buy back shares again, Chief Financial Officer Jon Moeller said on Friday.

Hewlett-Packard Co's $3.1 billion play for 3Com Corp will help the technology giant expand its product portfolio amid rapid industry consolidation -- and few think HP is done shopping.

Black Friday 2009 deals are being unveiled by major retailers in the United States. Target, Kohl's and Best Buy are some of the companies with special deals for this year's Black Friday.

Target, Kohl's, Best Buy and major retailers have unveiled their special deals for Black Friday 2009, according to Gottadeal.com, a self-called official Black Friday deal website.