Stock futures edge higher on euro optimism (AP)

AP - U.S. stock futures advanced Wednesday on hope that a long-awaited deal to allow Greece to claim its second bailout was near despite another delay in discussions between the country's political leaders.

Greece stays in play as futures edge higher (Reuters)

Reuters - Stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as leaders in Greece again attempted to reach a deal on reforms in exchange for a new bailout.

McDonald's January sales beat expectations (Reuters)

Reuters - McDonald's Corp reported a better-than-expected rise in January sales at established restaurants across the globe, as strength in the United States helped offset the impact of economic weakness in Europe.

Mortgage applications jump on refi demand: MBA (Reuters)

Reuters - Applications for home mortgages jumped last week, fueled by increased demand for refinancing as interest rates fell, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Mortgage applications jump on refi demand: MBA (Reuters)

Reuters - Applications for home mortgages jumped last week, fueled by increased demand for refinancing as interest rates fell, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Disney earnings beat despite shaky economy (Reuters)

Reuters - Walt Disney Co's quarterly revenue fell short of Wall Street's expectations after the movie studio put in a poor showing, but profit grew at a faster-than-expected 12 percent clip as media networks and theme parks held strong in an uncertain economy.

Markets upbeat as Greek debt deal appears near (AP)

AP - Markets were hopeful Wednesday that a long-awaited deal to allow Greece to claim its second bailout was near despite another delay to discussions between the country's political leaders.

Chinese leaders promise pay hikes, more jobs (AP)

AP - China's government promised Wednesday to raise minimum wages by 13 percent a year through 2015 and to launch measures to generate 45 million new jobs.

13,000 is next Dow milestone, with record in sight (AP)

AP - It was just last summer that the Dow Jones industrial average shed 2,000 points in three terrifying weeks. Investors had a host of things to worry about, including the possibility of another recession.

13,000 is next Dow milestone, with record in sight (AP)

AP - It was just last summer that the Dow Jones industrial average shed 2,000 points in three terrifying weeks. Investors had a host of things to worry about, including the possibility of another recession.

German exports down sharply in Dec after strong year (Reuters)

Reuters - German exports fell at their fastest rate in nearly three years in December and imports unexpectedly dropped, adding to signs that the euro zone sovereign debt crisis hit the region's top economy hard in the fourth quarter.

German exports broke euro1 trillion mark in 2011 (AP)

AP - German exports climbed 11.4 percent last year to top the euro1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) mark for the first time, official figures showed Wednesday, though a decline in December underlined the likelihood of slower growth ahead.

French economy to post zero growth in Q1: central bank (Reuters)

Reuters - France's economy will register zero growth in the first quarter of this year, the Bank of France forecast on Wednesday, as the country succumbs to a slowdown throughout the euro zone.

China sets target of average 13 percent annual minimum wage rise (Reuters)

Reuters - The annual average growth of China's minimum wages should be at least 13 percent in the five years to 2015, according to a government job market plan for the period published on Wednesday.

SEC's Gallagher wants more oversight of brokers (Reuters)

Reuters - Congress made a mistake when it stripped away most of the Securities and Exchange Commission's authority to police the holding companies of broker-dealers for risks, according to the SEC's newest commissioner.

Eyes on dissident states as mortgage deal nears (Reuters)

Reuters - A broad settlement with major banks over mortgage servicing abuses that would bring relief to distressed U.S. homeowners could be announced as early Thursday, two people familiar with the matter said.

No cigar: Economic embargo on Cuba turns 50 (AP)

AP - When it started, American teenagers were doing "The Twist." The United States had yet to put a man into orbit around the Earth. And a first-class U.S. postage stamp cost 4 cents.

Bernanke: Job market remains weak despite gains (AP)

AP - Ben Bernanke says the job market isn't as strong as the steadily declining unemployment rate might suggest.

Report: Silicon Valley sees growth in jobs, wealth (AP)

AP - Silicon Valley is creating jobs and wealth for highly skilled workers but may be leaving some residents behind as employment closes in on pre-Great Recession levels, according to a report released Tuesday.

More US states to join foreclosure-abuse deal (AP)

AP - Arizona, Michigan and Florida, three of the states hit hardest by the housing crisis, will join a nationwide settlement over foreclosure abuses, officials with direct knowledge say. They will join more than 40 other states in approving a deal that would benefit many Americans who lost their homes or can't afford their mortgages.

How the major stock indexes fared on Tuesday (AP)

AP - Stock indexes closed higher Tuesday as Greece appeared close to announcing a deal with creditors to cut its debt. The Dow Jones industrial average ended at its highest level since May 2008.

Summary Box: Stocks end higher on Greece hopes (AP)

AP - GREECE IS THE WORD: Stocks resumed their slow-but-steady climb on Tuesday as Greece appeared close to announcing a deal with creditors to reduce its debt. The Dow Jones industrial average ended at its highest level since May 2008.

Bernanke urges Congress to address Bush tax cuts (Reuters)

Reuters - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday warned Congress that putting off a decision on the fate of expiring Bush administration tax cuts could unsettle businesses and households, undercutting the U.S. economic recovery.

SEC weighs two money market fund proposals (Reuters)

Reuters - The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission is eyeing two potential plans to bolster the stability of money market funds, but their fate remains uncertain due to internal disagreement at the SEC over the need for more regulations.

Bernanke repeats vow to shield U.S. from Europe fallout (Reuters)

Reuters - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday renewed a pledge to prevent Europe's financial crisis from damaging the U.S. economy in testimony before Congress that mirrored remarks he made last week.

Job openings rise to 3.4 million in December (Reuters)

Reuters - The number of jobs waiting to be filled rose in December as employers tried to ramp up hiring in factories, retail and business services, the government said on Tuesday.

Analysis: Banks largely reserved for U.S. mortgage pact cost (Reuters)

Reuters - As the nation's five largest mortgage lenders edge close to a $25 billion settlement over foreclosure abuses, it's becoming clear that the deal will have little or no impact on their future bottom lines.

How Boeing Measures Up (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Aerospace and defense giant Boeing (NYSE: BA - News) recently posted decent fourth-quarter numbers followed by a weak future outlook. While that information could be useless out of context, a broader view will help in judging where the company stands at present. Here's an analysis of Boeing's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats which should help develop a more complete picture about the company.

Fidelity money fund clients sour on SEC proposals (Reuters)

Reuters - Adding to the outcry against new rules for money-market funds, Fidelity Investments has warned regulators that more than half of its money-fund clients would move some or all of their assets out of the investments if the net asset value of the funds were allowed to fluctuate.

New US sanctions on Iran aim to head off Israel (AP)

AP - Additional U.S. sanctions on Iran are more significant for their timing than their immediate effect on Iran's economy, coming as the United States and its allies are arguing that Israel should hold off on any military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities to allow more time for sanctions to work.

World watches as China economic leaders take stage (Reuters)

Reuters - A new guessing game is about to begin: will China's incoming generation of leaders show more courage than the current incumbents in tackling deep economic imbalances that threaten to bring growth to a sudden stop?

Bernanke's testimony on economy to Senate panel (Reuters)

Reuters - Below are highlights from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony on Tuesday on the state of the U.S. economy to the Senate Budget Committee. Bernanke's prepared testimony was virtually identical to testimony on Thursday to the House Budget Committee.

Delaware officials wrestle over mortgage deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Delaware stands to leave up to $40 million in homeowner relief on the table, if it does not join a multi-state mortgage settlement, according to a letter from the state's banking commissioner seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Global watchdog official says banking reforms must proceed (Reuters)

Reuters - The underperforming global economy should not be allowed to delay financial system reforms, a senior official at the Financial Stability Board (FSB), a global watchdog set up by the Group of 20 nations, said on Tuesday, adding that the FSB will propose new rules on so-called shadow banking by year-end.

U.S. Companies 'Yammer' for a Productivity Revolution (ContributorNetwork)

ContributorNetwork - SAN FRANCISCO -- In a pleasant surprise, the Department of Labor has reported an another increase in total nonfarm employment. The U.S. added 243,000 jobs in January, ticking the unemployment rate to 8.3 percent.

Greek hopes prop up euro, results hit shares (Reuters)

Reuters - The euro was underpinned by hopes a way would be found to push through a second bailout deal for Greece, though poor results from some top European firms on Tuesday rekindled unease about the region's debt crisis, sending shares lower.

Another Boeing Loyalist Brightens the Skyline (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Thanks to the nuclear buildup in Iran, defense deals are pouring in. Backed by a solid reputation and loyal customers, Boeing (NYSE: BA - News) seems to have successfully cashed in on the scenario, as it ended 2011 with a bang.

Stock gains turn hedge fund losers into winners (Reuters)

Reuters - Last year's hedge fund losers may be turning into winners again.

Housing plan helps nearly 1 million homeowners (Reuters)

Reuters - Nearly 1 million U.S. homeowners have won permanent reductions on mortgage payments since the Obama administration launched its foreclosure prevention program in 2009, the U.S. Treasury said on Monday, only a fraction of the total it aimed to reach.

Fidelity Nat'l to buy O'Charley's restaurant chain (AP)

AP - A title insurance and mortgage services company that already owns a stake in the Bakers Square restaurant chain is buying the restaurant operator O'Charley's Inc., the companies announced Monday.