U.S. Drug Companies Chase Vaccines

Three big drug makers announced deals that give them rights to new flu vaccines, placing bets on one of the pharmaceutical industry's brightest, but riskiest, segments.

Xerox Takes Heat Over Bid for ACS

Xerox agreed to pay $6.4 billion for Texas technology-services supplier Affiliated Computer Services in a bid to spur revenue gains.

FDIC Prepayment Likely for Banks

The FDIC is expected to propose that most of the banking industry prepay assessments for the next three years to recapitalize the government's insurance fund.

Deals Drive Push Back Into Stocks

The Dow industrials rose 124 points and are on course for the best quarter since 1998 amid a burst of deals and analyst upgrades.

Foes Take on 'Uptick' Rule

Big Wall Street firms are lining up against new rules to restrict short-selling under consideration by the SEC.

$35 Billion Set for Local Housing

The White House is close to committing up to $35 billion to help housing agencies provide mortgages to low- and moderate-income families.

Warner, YouTube Near Video Deal

Warner Music is close to an agreement with YouTube that would return its video clips to the site after a nine-month licensing dispute.

Yes, Risk Is Back Now, With SPACs

SPACs are back again. It is one of the strongest signs yet that deal activity has picked up and investors have regained an appetite for riskier bets.

Countrywide Phone Calls Add to Din Over Loans

Countrywide Financial's recorded phone conversations with borrowers in a mortgage program that included public officials have prompted new congressional calls for more information.

China OKs GM-Delphi Deal

China approved GM's plan to buy a stake in Delphi, setting standard antitrust terms.

GM's Opel Sale Faces Fresh Uncertainty

GM faced more uncertainty about its planned sale of Opel as the political winds shifted in Germany and Spain urged investigation of the deal.

BofA Sued by Funds Over Merrill

BofA was accused of concealing widening losses at Merrill before the vote to approve the deal, in a suit on behalf of five pension funds.

Zoellick Favors Power for Treasury

World Bank chief Zoellick said the Treasury, not the Fed, should be given more power to regulate banks. He also said the dollar could increasingly lose its status as the dominant reserve currency.

Drop in Start-Ups Bodes Ill for Recovery

New companies are crucial to any economic recovery. Businesses in their first 90 days of life accounted for 14% of hiring in the U.S. between 1993 and 2008.

J&J Buys 18% Stake in Crucell

The U.S. pharmaceutical giant bought an 18% stake in Dutch biotech company Crucell as part of a deal to collaborate on the treatment and prevention of influenza.