WSJ.com: What's News US

Kraft Makes Hostile Bid for Cadbury

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:26:09 EST

Kraft officially launched a hostile bid for Cadbury, setting in motion a tussle for control of the British confectioner.

Dow Reaches 52-Week High

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:17 EST

The Dow soared to the highest level in a year as materials, financial and industrial stocks rose. GE, American Express and Caterpillar jumped.

With Feds, BofA's Lewis Met His Match

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:27:37 EST

Over nearly a year of battles with U.S. regulators and investigators, BofA CEO Ken Lewis lost control of a bank he had worked at for 40 years.

Google to Purchase AdMob

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:06 EST

Google agreed to buy start-up AdMob, which provides display ads for cellphones, for $750 million in stock.

Comcast Advances in Deal for NBC

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:24:55 EST

GE and Comcast have agreed to value NBC Universal in the neighborhood of $30 billion, a development that could lead to a deal this week for Comcast to take control of GE's media and entertainment arm.

Frugality Moves In for Long Stay

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:17:48 EST

The recession may be over but companies that cater to consumers believe people are digging in for a frugal winter.

Pfizer to Streamline R&D

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:56:34 EST

Pfizer said it will streamline its global research-and-development activities, reducing global square footage by 35% as part of its integration of Wyeth

G-20 Officials Clash on Bank Tax

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:39:20 EST

Prime Minister Brown and Treasury Secretary Geithner clashed over potential taxes on bank transactions at a meeting of finance policymakers from the G-20.

Northrop to Sell TASC Unit for $1.65 Billion

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:39:47 EST

Northrop Grumman has agreed to sell its TASC consulting unit to private-equity firms General Atlantic and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $1.65 billion, as the deals market heats back up.

Sprint to Pump $1.5 Billion Into Clearwire

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:10:31 EST

Sprint and its partners are preparing to give at least $1.5 billion more in aid to Clearwire, a wireless broadband firm that has struggled to build out its network.

AXA Asia Pacific Rejects Bid

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:38:37 EST

AXA Asia Pacific Holdings rejected a cash and equity takeover proposal worth $10.1 billion that would see its French parent AXA and rival Australian wealth management firm AMP split the business in two.

Companies Differ on Patent Case

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:58:50 EST

Firms have flooded the Supreme Court with advice as it prepares for arguments over one of the biggest questions in intellectual property: When can a business method be patented?

Reynolds Is in Talks to Buy Niconovum

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:58:21 EST

Reynolds is in advanced talks to buy a Swedish maker of products that help people stop smoking, a move that could signal a profound shift in direction in the global tobacco industry.

Banks Doubted ABFS, but Propped It Up

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:56:59 EST

Wall Street firms that agreed to pay $100 million to settle a lawsuit accusing them of propping up ABFS had doubts about the subprime lender's practices long before it collapsed.

Lear to Exit Bankruptcy Court

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:51:36 EST

Lear plans to emerge from bankruptcy-court protection on Monday, four months after the maker of auto seats and electronics filed for Chapter 11.

Lower Write-Downs Lift Allianz

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:21:29 EST

Europe's largest primary insurer by market capitalization swung to a net profit, reflecting Allianz's improved earnings power following the sale of troubled Dresdner Bank.

S&P Gauges Bond Loss Potential

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:56:59 EST

S&P has begun estimating potential losses on certain residential-mortgage bonds, responding to criticism that its junk ratings are too broad.

Bharti Airtel Seeks New Targets in Africa

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:53:48 EST

Bharti Airtel remains interested in targets in Africa but the Indian wireless giant sees only limited options after the collapse of its MTN deal.

LSE Delays Introduction of Baikal

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:53:17 EST

LSE has delayed the introduction of its dark pool Baikal, pending the outcome of talks with Turquoise, a rival trading service that has a system up and running.

Hedge-Fund Giant Surfaces in Trading Probe

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:47:59 EST

The widening probe of insider trading on Wall Street is expected to examine transactions at Steven A. Cohen's SAC, one of America's largest and most successful hedge funds.

Nook e-Book Reader on Back-Order

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:31:54 EST

Barnes & Noble says heavy demand for its new e-book reader is delaying shipments of the latest pre-orders of the device.

Cond é Nast Eyes China

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:26:56 EST

Condé Nast aims to continue adding more magazine titles in China, already a top-five global market for the U.S. publisher, the head of its international arm said.

Dollar General Dresses Up for Debut

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:01:27 EST

The year's most widely anticipated new U.S. stock is scheduled to make its debut this week, with discount retailer Dollar General trading on the NYSE.

Sands China Seeks to Raise $3.83 Billion

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:57:12 EST

Sands China, the Macau unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp., intends to raise up to US$3.83 billion in a Hong Kong IPO.

Fort Hood Shooting Suspect Awake

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:38:33 EST

A U.S. Army hospital spokesman said the man suspected in a deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood is conscious and able to talk.