Treasury pay czar limits pay at automakers, banks - AP - 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
The Obama administration's pay czar is limiting the cash compensation for executives at companies that received the largest taxpayer bailouts to $500,000 and delaying some other payouts.

Stronger retail sales and sentiment boost stocks - AP - 37 minutes ago
Stocks mostly rose Friday on signs that consumers and businesses are feeling more confident about the economy. The Commerce Department said retail sales rose 1.3 percent in November, more than double the increase analysts had expected and better than the 1.1 percent rise in October.

Democrats fend off effort to kill consumer agency - AP - 8 minutes ago
House Democrats have fended off an effort to kill a proposed consumer agency contained in legislation to regulate Wall Street. The vote was 223-208.

Economic news raises hopes for global recovery - AP - 29 minutes ago
Signs of a strengthening global recovery emerged Friday, with consumers boosting retail sales, companies restoring stockpiles and Chinese exports mounting a comeback.

SEC has widened probe into BofA, Merrill deal - AP - 43 minutes ago
The Securities and Exchange Commission has expanded its probe of Bank of America to include possible failure by the bank to disclose mounting losses at Merrill Lynch, a top agency official said Friday.

Oil dips below $70 per barrel for second day - AP - 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
A nine-month rally in oil prices could be faltering as a gradual sell-off that began in late October gains momentum. Crude prices, which doubled from March to October, tumbled Friday for the eighth day in a row.

EU calls for global financial levy - AP - Fri 10:47 am ET
European Union leaders called for a global financial transaction levy and more responsible banking pay in the hopes it could help buffer against future market crises, according to a joint statement published Friday.

Treasury receives $936M for JPMorgan warrants - AP - 9 minutes ago
The Treasury Department has received $936.1 million in the sale of warrants it had received from JPMorgan Chase & Co. as part of the support it provided the bank during last year's financial crisis.

Procter & Gamble buys Sara Lee's Ambi Pur business - AP - 1 hour, 6 minutes ago
Procter & Gamble Co. is buying Sara Lee Inc.'s Ambi Pur air freshener business for $320 million euros, or $470 million. The deal adds strength for consumer-products giant P&G in Europe and will complement its Febreze line of deodorizers, which is sold mainly in the North America.