Banks reach D-day: Test scores released

Ten of the 19 large banks tested by the Treasury against deteriorating economic conditions would need to shore up capital reserves, but the Treasury said there were several options available to banks.

Grains mostly higher Thursday

Corn was up 4 to up 4 1/2, soybeans were off 9 to off 16, wheat was up 11 1/4 to up 11 1/2 and oats were up 9.

U.S. crude oil prices hold steady

Crude oil prices have gained as upbeat stock markets have hinted that demand would increase.

U.S. markets fall Thursday

The 601,000 initial benefits claims were 14,750 fewer than a week ago, the department said. On the productivity front, first-quarter manufacturing dropped 10 percent, but a faster drop in hours worked gave productivity an overall gain of 0.8 percent.

Acton jewelry craft kits recalled

Two kits, the Abalone and Venetian Carnevale Necklace Craft Kits, marketed for children, include necklace clasps with high levels of lead, CPSC said in a statement.

Bernanke spells out regulatory changes

Bernanke outlined his macroprudential agenda, which would include monitoring rapidly escalating risk, such as the subprime mortgage market, which began to collapse ahead of the recession and ravaged financial firms throughout 2008.

Hartmarx lets Emerisque bid expire

Emerisque had extended the bid twice, but allowed it to expire 5 p.m. Wednesday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

BOE to extend money printing program

The practice of printing money involves purchase of corporate and government bonds, essentially IOUs form the Treasury and business, The Times of London reported.

Jason Evans hooded jackets recalled

The black and gray jackets include a drawstring that could pose a hazard to children, the commission said in a statement.

Murdoch: More newspapers to charge online

In a conference call, Murdoch said the current system of Internet access was malfunctioning and likely to change to a fee-based system within a year, CNN reported Thursday.