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Market News

Wall Street Watch this Week: Harvesting a New Quarter

After nine generally buoyant months, the final quarter of 2012 kicks off this week. Not many companies stepping up to report their results this week, but anyone interested in agriculture will be looking forward to hearing from Mosaic and Monsanto.

Money and Politics

Pop Quiz: Who's Funding Obama and Romney?

Major corporations are pouring a lot of money into political campaigns this year: The stores you shop in, the shoes you wear, and even the movies you watch may be helping to elect your next president. But which brands, and for which candidate? Take our quiz and find out!

Retirement

Social Security Will Run Dry Even Sooner Than the Latest Bad Projection

For the past several years, Social Security's Trustees have been warning of the accelerating depletion of its Trust Fund. Since 2008, the Trust Fund's out-of-money date has inched forward from 2041 to 2033. Unfortunately, even that projection is a bit too optimistic.

Investing

Gold Tops the List of the Fourth Quarter's Likely Winners

Most commodities rallied in the third quarter, but can they hold on to their advance? Read on, and find out which ones still have legs to dance their way higher, and which are poised to take a tumble. The short answer to that from analysts is that gold and oil are likely to advance, while grains and sugar are among those that probably won't, but there will be a lot of different factors to consider.

Retail

Uniqlo Jump Starts U.S. Mall Expansion with Huge N.J. Store

Uniqlo kicked off its new attempt at expansion into U.S. malls on Friday, bringing its Apple-esque take on fashion to Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J., where it opened a 43,000-square-foot store. Will the second time be the charm for Japan's largest retailer?

Money and Politics

U.S. Postal Service to Default on Second $5 Billion Retiree Payment

The U.S. Postal Service, on the brink of default on a second multibillion-dollar payment it can't afford to pay, is sounding a new cautionary note that having squeezed out all the cost savings within its power, the mail agency's viability now lies almost entirely with Congress.

Banking

MoneyGram Goes Mobile with Digital Wallet Money Transer App

People who regularly use money transfer services just got another digital leg up. MoneyGram International is partnering with Gemalto, the company behind the LinqUs Mobile Money digital wallet, to allow customers to do money transfers straight from their smartphones.

Banking

B of A to Pay $2.43 Billion to End Lawsuit Over Merrill Lynch

Bank of America has agreed to pay $2.43 billion to settle a class-action shareholder lawsuit related to its acquisition of Merrill Lynch. Plaintiffs alleged that Bank of America and some of its officers made false or misleading statements about both companies' financial health ahead of the deal.

Company News

Tim Cook Apologizes For Apple Maps

Apple has finally made a real statement to its customers apologizing about the Maps drama that's been unfolding over the past few weeks with the introduction of iOS 6. According to CEO Tim Cook, the company "fell short" on its commitment to bring world-class products to its customers.

Family Money

The Biggest Mistake of Financial Planning for Special Needs Kids

When it comes to raising special needs children, the financial challenges can be overwhelming -- expensive in the near term, and making long-term planning even more of a high-stakes endeavor. And, with the best of intentions, parents could be making one incredibly costly mistake.

Nordstrom

Outlet Stores Are In: Their Shift from Overstock to Au Courant

Outlet stores have come a long way, baby. No longer mere repositories of last season's cast-offs, factory stores are now among the healthiest retail sectors, hawking new, trendy items made expressly for them. Credit the recession for the change -- and for more reasons than you'd expect.

Market News

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Gains to Four-Month High in Sept

U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in four months in September as Americans saw better prospects for the job market and economy, a survey released on Friday showed.

People

Bank of America VP Makes Bad Call of a Lifetime as an NFL Ref

You gotta call 'em like you see 'em, whether it's on the field or on the balance sheet. This is especially true if you're a Bank of America (BAC) vice president moonlighting as a National Football League referee. Such ...

Market News

Higher Gas Costs Push U.S. Consumer Spending Up

Americans boosted their spending in August even though their income barely grew. Much of the spending increase went to pay higher gas prices, which may have forced consumers to cut back elsewhere.

Technology

Sleek New Gadgets Have One Design Flaw: They Can't be Fixed

When buying tech devices, it's all about the latest and greatest: lighter, sleeker designs, more bells and whistles. But these design innovations aren't necessarily improvements -- in fact, they may even sacrifice durability, serviceability, and overall life span. Here's how.

Banking

The Most Costly Mistake You Can Make With Your Bank Account

There's nothing more expensive than spending money you don't have. That, of course, is a lesson you might learn the hard way if you carry a balance on a high-interest credit card. But spending beyond your means can be a pricey proposition even with a debit card.

Technology

U.S. Banks Hit with Biggest Cyberattacks Ever

Security experts say the recent "denial of service" cyberattacks on big U.S. banks were the largest ever recorded by a wide margin. Since Sept. 19, the banking websites of Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC), J.P. Morgan ...

Economy

American Spirits: Mike Rowe Pours a Shot of Alcoholic Economic History

In How Booze Built America, Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs mixes little-known history with economic analysis, puns and many tasty beverages to explain how the American story is really the tale of one nation's love affair with alcohol. Here are a few of Rowe's favorite high points.

Money and Politics

George Soros Bails Out the Democrats with $2 Million

Just when everyone thought that Soros was focusing on philanthropy and ignoring Democratic calls for cash because of a perceived snub, "The Man Who Broke The Bank of England" is back in action, rescuing the Democrats from an October in which they're severely outgunned financially.

Retirement

17 Steps to Make Your Money Last a Lifetime

Living to 100 is expensive, but taking time to run through this annual checklist will help you afford it. Here are 17 steps to a more secure financial life:

Economy

U.S. GDP Grew at 1.3% Rate in Second Quarter

The U.S. economy grew at a sluggish 1.3 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter, held back by the severe drought that reduced farm production in the Midwest. The growth rate was lowered from a previous estimate of 1.7 percent, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Insurance

Your Insurance Won't Cover That: Hidden Dangers in the Fine Print

When you buy insurance, what you're really buying is protection. A common mistake, though, is to overestimate what your policy really protects you from. Here are some examples to watch for in the fine print so that you don't make the costly mistake of assuming you're covered.