HSBC

Moody's warned on Thursday it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the eurozone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system.

Moody's Investor Service warned Thursday it could downgrade the credit ratings of 17 global banks and securities firms due to more fragile funding conditions, increased regulatory burdens and a more difficult operating environment.

A $1.7 million (£1.1 million) treasure that included jewelry, master tapes from bands Joy Division and New Order as wells as a gun were found on the site of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's new restaurant, according to reports.

The precious metals market followed Wall Street's skid today, as gold and companies that peddle it were driven down by underwhelming retail figures in the U.S., and ongoing concerns over Greece and the Eurozone.

The euro rose to a session high and shares reversed early losses after key German data bolstered hopes that Europe's largest economy was recovering and a strong Italian bond sale added to signs that financing pressures were being contained.

Gold prices followed crude oil and global stocks lower Tuesday after ratings firms cut the credit ratings of several European nations and banks and warned that more reductions were likely.

Canada's Barrick Gold, the world's largest gold producer, plans to sell its 20 percent stake in Russia's Highland Gold, pulling out of one of the world's most promising - but also toughest - gold frontiers.

Trading in shares of Alibaba.com Ltd was halted on Thursday pending an announcement regarding its parent, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, which reportedly plans to buy back the 40 percent stake in it held by Yahoo Inc.

The current gold rally is expected to continue due to a combination of monetary and fiscal influences, HSBC analyst James Steel reported to investors Sunday.

A group of Brazil-based hackers took down the main corporate Web site of New York-based Citigroup on Friday, as the loosely associated collective continued its weeklong campaign of attacks on Web properties of major international banks. The public site of Brazil's central bank was also taken down.

The Bank of America is no longer the nation's biggest mortgage servicer in the U.S., according to the latest report.

The job cuts, if they go through, would be part of thousands of other cuts which financial institutions plan to make in the near future.

Crumbling global demand restrained factory output in Asia and most of Europe in January, business surveys showed on Wednesday, putting pressure on policymakers to shore up growth and counter a spreading malaise.

The rupee hit a near three-month high on Wednesday, clawing back all early losses, supported by robust dollar inflows, local share gains and a recovery in the euro.

South Korean regulators on Friday endorsed Hana Financial Group Inc.'s 3.9 trillion won ($3.48 billion) acquisition of Korea Exchange Bank, paving the way for U.S. private-equity firm Lone Star's sale of the local lender and closing the final chapter of a drawn out and acrimonious saga.

- HSBC Holdings PLC is under investigation by a U.S. Senate panel in a money-laundering inquiry, the latest step in a long-running U.S. effort to halt shadowy money flows through global banks, according to people familiar with the situation and a company securities filing.

HSBC Holdings PLC is under investigation by a U.S. Senate panel in a money-laundering inquiry, the latest step in a long-running U.S. effort to halt shadowy money flows through global banks, according to people familiar with the situation and a company securities filing.

Israeli conglomerate Delek Group said on Sunday that the collateral to back an HSBC loan for its gas exploration units had been rejected by Israel's Petroleum Commissioner.

Stocks Rising, Bulls Rampant are motifs you might pick while designing a coat of arms for Wall Street at the moment. But its motto should read: Caveat Emptor. Yes, buyer beware.

China's manufacturing activity slowed for a third consecutive month in January, according to a survey of purchasing managers on Friday, which could compel Beijing to take steps to stimulate growth in the world's second-largest economy.

European banks are preparing for a potential worsening of the region's sovereign and banking crisis, with many firms stockpiling cash and cutting back on loans to new clients as they seek to protect themselves against a possible seizing-up of financial markets.