Castles for the Common Man

At the high end of the real-estate market, a bit more money yields a lot more home. What to keep in mind if you are thinking of upgrading your home.

Upset Vote Reshapes Iraq

Allawi's predominantly Sunni alliance won Iraq's national election, narrowly edging out al-Maliki's list, and kicking off a scrum among political and religious blocs to form a majority government.

Tough Times Boost Wal-Mart's Allure

Wal-Mart has won the support of dozens of church ministers in its long-running battle to expand in Chicago, a sign of how the recession has softened skepticism of the retailer in a community desperate for jobs.

AT&T Joins in Health Charges

AT&T said it would take a $1 billion charge against earnings tied to the federal health-care overhaul.

Insurers Give Up as Investors

While many insurers looked after their own investments for decades, lately more have looked for some help, after finding themselves caught off guard by the complexity of their own portfolios.

Avenue Capital's Investor in Chief

Marc Lasry has the White House's ear, has gone toe-to-toe with Donald Trump and is willing to bold bets on distressed companies. Just Don't Call Marc Lasry a "vulture."

FDIC Pares Loss Aid for Bank Buyers

The FDIC said it will absorb a smaller percentage of the losses on soured loans covered by the agreements routinely reached with buyers of failed banks.

U.S. Expands Effort to Help Homeowners

The foreclosure crisis prompted the Obama administration to overhaul its efforts to rescue homeowners by prodding lenders to reduce loan balances for underwater borrowers.

Owner of TV's 'Idol' Nears Deal for Buyout

CKX is in the late stages of a buyout transaction led by J.P. Morgan's private-equity arm. The company owns the "American Idol" franchise.

Banks Fail in Georgia, Florida, Arizona

Four U.S. banks were seized Friday by state regulators, two in Georgia, one in Florida and one in Arizona, bringing the total number of bank failures to 41 in 2010.

Merkel Defends Role of IMF in Greek Deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to justify her successful push to include the International Monetary Fund in a potential bailout of Greece, saying the euro zone alone doesn't have the tools to deal with a fiscally wayward membe.

U.S. Corporate Profits Keep Climbing

The government, in the broadest tally of corporate earnings, said profits grew smartly in the fourth quarter as the economy rebounded from a deep recession.