Business News

Wall Street tumbles in final hour of trading

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 14:36:17 MST

NEW YORK » A period of relative calm on Wall Street ended Thursday as stocks tumbled in the final hour of trading on growing investor anxiety about the government's November employment report.

Senate may approve overseer for bailout plan next week

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 13:08:16 MST

WASHINGTON » The Senate could move next week to approve a New York prosecutor as watchdog over the $700 billion financial rescue plan -- the Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP -- after a lone senator apparently lifted his opposition to the nomination, two senators said Thursday.

Ruling could mean end to pouty-lipped Bratz dolls

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 12:56:19 MST

NEW YORK » Pouty-lipped Bratz will stay on store shelves until after the holidays, but their fate after that -- and that of their parent, MGA Entertainment Inc.

Good Housekeeping Reports: The best toys of 2008

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 10:19:57 MST

Selecting the winners of Good Housekeeping's Best Toy Awards was serious fun. The Research Institute looked at hundreds of playthings for ages 3 to 14, evaluated 51 favorites and then let dozens of children loose to play and choose their top picks.

Group: Less lead in toys, but many may still have toxins

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 10:19:20 MST

After the recalls of millions of lead-contaminated toys last year, a watchdog group said Wednesday that its tests found fewer toys with high levels of chemicals in them this year.

Family history company may make acquisitions, go public

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 10:17:30 MST

The parent company of online genealogy sites ancestry.com and myfamily.com has hired a CFO from Martha Stewart's empire, signaling that it will explore going public and is looking at acquisitions.

Fed: Economy darkens heading into holidays

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 23:35:48 MST

WASHINGTON » The country's economic picture has darkened further as Americans hunkered down heading into the holidays, forcing retailers to ring up fewer sales and factories to cut back on production.

Video game sales come into play

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 20:21:37 MST

Tough economic times mean families are shortening holiday lists, but the gift least likely to be scratched off is a video game. The Williams of Oxford, Conn.

Ford increases F-150 production at two plants

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 20:18:19 MST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. » Ford Motor Co. plans to ramp up production of its F-150 pickups at its Kansas City-area assembly plant as truck sales remain a bright spot in the otherwise dreary automotive industry.

Mortgage application, refinance volume surge

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 20:10:34 MST

WASHINGTON » Mortgage application volume more than doubled during the shortened Thanksgiving week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly application survey.

Deals abound, but which offer lasting delight?

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 20:07:12 MST

The array of great deals on homes, cars and other big-ticket items these days is tempting. But before you get out your checkbook, consider whether snagging that awesome price will really make you any happier.

Bally Total Fitness again files for Chapter 11

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 20:00:19 MST

Bally Total Fitness Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday for the second time in less than two years, hindered by debt and limited refinancing options amid the credit crunch.

Layoffs at Random House, Simon & Schuster

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 19:59:20 MST

NEW YORK » The economy has crashed down on an industry once believed immune from the worst -- book publishing -- with consolidation at Random House Inc.

Fans and embattled booksellers eager for new J.K. Rowling book

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 19:58:36 MST

LONDON » Recession-hit booksellers are hoping for a magical boost from a new book by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a collection of five fables mentioned in Rowling's saga about the boy wizard, is being published around the world today with only a fraction of

Insurer casts off long-term-care policies

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 19:55:14 MST

A major insurer has dumped a chunk of its long-term-care policies into an independent trust, putting tens of thousands of policyholders at risk of reduced benefits or big premium increases.