Google shows renewed vigor with robust 4Q results
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google Inc. appears to have regained its financial stride after wobbling through most of 2009. The Internet search leader strutted its stuff in the fourth quarter, producing a profit that blew past analyst estimates while revenue growth accelerated from a leisurely stroll to a quickening gallop.
About 600 car dealers try to get businesses back
DETROIT (AP) — Michael Wolf is taking a big gamble that he can convince an arbitrator to give him back his Chrysler-Jeep dealership. He's among about 600 car dealers nationwide who have signed up to appeal decisions by General Motors Co. or Chrysler Group LLC to revoke their franchise agreements and shut them down.
Stuck gas pedal causes 2nd major Toyota recall
NEW YORK (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. built its reputation in the U.S. as a maker of safe and dependable vehicles, but the quality of the Japanese automaker's fleet continues to be tarnished by serious safety recalls. Toyota said Thursday it is recalling 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix accelerator pedals with mechanical problems that could cause them to become stuck. The announcement comes just months after it recalled 4.2 million vehicles due to gas pedals that could become trapped under floor mats, causing sudden acceleration. That problem was the cause of several crashes, including some fatalities.
Obama hits Wall Street, pushes for bank limits
WASHINGTON (AP) — Embracing Depression-era policy and populist politics, a combative President Barack Obama chastised big Wall Street banks Thursday and urgently called for limits on their size and investments to stave off a new economic meltdown. Investors responded by dumping bank stock.
Asia stocks track US lower after Obama bank reform
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stock markets tumbled Friday after President Barack Obama proposed a sweeping overhaul of Wall Street banks to avert future financial crises. Losses spread across most markets and sectors across the region, following an overnight retreat in the U.S.
Oil prices slide below $76 in Asia on weak demand
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Oil prices fell below $76 a barrel Friday in Asia, dampened by evidence of weak demand after government figures showed the United States continues to use less energy than last year. Benchmark crude for March delivery shed 21 cents to $75.87 a barrel at midday Kuala Lumpur time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Railroads signal a tepid US economic recovery
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The nation's railroad operators expect a tepid recovery for the U.S. economy in 2010, as both businesses and consumers continue to wrestle with the effects of the recession. The severe economic slump cut shipping demand for the railroads because American consumers and industries have been buying fewer of the cars, chemicals, crops, lumber and containers of imported goods the railroads carry.
Cablevision, Scripps reach deal over fee dispute
NEW YORK (AP) — Cablevision customers in the New York Tri-State area can watch the Food Network and HGTV again beginning Thursday. Cablevision Systems Corp. and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. said Thursday they reached an agreement allowing for the return of the popular channels to Cablevision's customers in the area.
Capital One posts profit on higher fees, interest
NEW YORK (AP) — Capital One earned $375.6 million in the fourth quarter as income from fees and interest rose while loan-loss provisions fell. The company, one of the nation's largest credit card issuers, reported Thursday that it earned 83 cents per share in the last three months of the year. That compares with a loss of $1.45 billion, or $3.74 cents per share, in the same period a year ago at the height of the credit crisis. In that period, Capital One was forced to set aside billions to cover bad loans in its credit card and auto finance businesses.
Burlington Northern 4Q profit, revenue top outlook
NEW YORK (AP) — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., the nation's second-largest railroad operator, said Thursday it expects the economy to continue to gradually improve this year as it reported a smaller-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter earnings. The comments Thursday echoed other railroad reports earlier in the week. Railroads are seen as important indicators of the country's economic health because they ship so many consumer and industrial goods used everyday.
