Whirlpool loses money in 2Q due to settlement

Whirlpool Corp. is reporting a second-quarter loss largely due to the settlement of Brazilian collection dispute, but its adjusted results topped Wall Street’s expectations.
But world’s biggest appliance company said Thursday that it now expects full-year earnings at the low end of its previously reported range and shares dipped 3 percent in premarket trading.
Whirlpool lost $161 […]

Google launches trial of tap-to-pay system for smartphones

NEW YORK, N.Y.

Geithner halts investments in 2 gov’t pensions

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is telling Congress that he will halt investments in two big government pension plans Monday to allow the government to continue borrowing money for the next few months.
Geithner says the government will reach its $14.3 trillion borrowing limit on Monday. Republicans have held back supporting an increase in the borrowing limit, […]

Egypt official says Mubarak’s wife feeling better

A hospital official says Egypt’s ex-first lady Suzanne Mubarak is feeling better following treatment for chest pains she suffered after being told she would be detained by the government for further questioning on corruption allegations.
The official says the 70-year-old wife of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak was visited Saturday by a cardiologist who found “noticeable improvement […]

Sovereign Default-Swap Trades Double on China Slowdown: Australia Credit - Bloomberg

Trading in credit-default swaps on Australian sovereign debt doubled in the past year as the nation becomes increasingly dependent on its biggest export market China, which is seeking to slow growth to stem inflation.
The number of swap contracts used to speculate on creditworthiness and government bond prices rose to 1,284 covering a net amount […]

Japan’s PM vows to win battle against nuke plant

Japan’s prime minister sounded a resolute note Friday, promising to win the battle against an overheating nuclear plant even as atomic safety officials raised questions about the accuracy of radiation measurements at the complex.
Naoto Kan was grave a week ago when he addressed this nation rattled by fears of radiation that has contaminated food, milk […]

China’s February inflation steady at 4.9 percent

China’s government says inflation held steady at 4.9 percent in February despite efforts to cool price rises.
Friday’s announcement adds to pressure on communist leaders to rein in surging living costs that they worry could fuel social tensions. The rate was above the government’s target of 4 percent inflation this year and close to November’s 28-month […]

AOL completes purchase of Huffington Post

AOL has completed its $315 million purchase of the online news hub The Huffington Post.
AOL Inc., a pioneer in dial-up Internet access, is trying to rebuild itself as a purveyor of online news and other content. It is the largest purchase the company has made under CEO Tim Armstrong, a former Google advertising executive hired […]

U.S. Economy: Existing Home Sales Climb to Eight-Month High - Bloomberg

Sales of U.S. previously owned homes unexpectedly climbed in January to the highest level in eight months as investors used all-cash transactions to snap up distressed properties.
Purchases increased 2.7 percent to a 5.36 million annual rate, figures from the National Association of Realtors showed today in Washington. The share represented by foreclosures and short […]

Japan PM’s approval rating sinks to new low

Support for Japan’s prime minister fell sharply in a public opinion poll released Saturday, as a growing number of voters question his government’s ability to lead the country through numerous pressing problems.
Only 19.9 percent of respondents to the poll by Kyodo News agency said they approved of Naoto Kan’s administration, a plunge of about 12 […]