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Greek strike to shut down services Thursday (AP) -

AP - Greek unions will stage their second nationwide strike in a week on Thursday, shutting down all public services, closing schools, customs and tax offices, halting public transport and grounding flights for 24 hours.

Swiss Re puts Chile quake insurance cost at $4-7BN (AP) - AP - Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Wednesday that the strong earthquake in Chile last month will cost the insurance industry $4-7 billion, an estimate shared by its Germany-based rival Munich Re AG.

World stocks flat but pound takes another hit (AP) -

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, March 9, 2010.(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) AP - World stock markets traded in a narrow range Wednesday as investors looked for renewed direction, while the British pound continued to founder following unimpressive industrial output figures.

Bank of America ends overdraft fees on debit cards (AP) -

FILE - In this July 17, 2009 file photo, a customer uses a Bank of America ATM in Charlotte, N.C. The Treasury Department has received a record $1.54 billion from the sale of warrants it received from Bank of America Thursday, March 4, 2010, as part of the support it provided during the financial crisis. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, file) AP - Bank of America customers will soon be unable to spend more than they have in the accounts linked to their debit cards. It's a step that may become a common move ahead of new regulations limiting overdraft fees.

Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks (AP) - AP - Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.

China February exports jump 45.7 percent (AP) -

AP - China's exports rose in February in a new sign of growing global demand that could help persuade officials to let the Chinese currency rise.

U.S. SEC's chief economist to leave agency March 31 (Reuters) - Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's chief economist, James Overdahl, will be leaving at the end of the month, he said on Tuesday.

US to expose trade barriers in new report (AFP) -

A job seekers talks to a potential employer in California. The United States said it would expose AFP - The United States said it would expose "troublesome" foreign trade barriers in a strategy to prise open markets for doubling American exports to ease an unemployment crisis at home.

Brown-Forman 3Q profit falls on higher expenses (AP) - AP - The maker of Jack Daniel's whiskey and Korbel champagne says its fiscal third-quarter profit slipped, pinched by higher expenses.

Portugal sells $1.34 billion worth of bonds (AP) - AP - Financially troubled Portugal raised euro990 million ($1.34 billion) Wednesday in a key bond auction that had more bids than bonds available, suggesting the government's austerity plan is easing market concerns about the country's ability to pay off its high debts.

Nationalized UK bank Northern Rock back in profit (AP) - AP - Nationalized mortgage lender Northern Rock said Wednesday that it returned to profit in the second half of 2009 as interest income rose and losses on loans fell.

Infosys says outsourcing deal pipeline improving (Reuters) -

Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO and Managing Director of Infosys Technologies Ltd., speaks during the Reuters - Infosys Technologies, India's No. 2 software services exporter, is seeing a rise in outsourcing deal flows due to a recovery in the global economy, a top official said on Wednesday.

Dollar General sues rival chain over colors (AP) - AP - Dollar General Corp. has filed a federal lawsuit against rival discount chain Fred's Inc., claiming the smaller company is using its trademark yellow and black colors.

Commercial delinquency lower than other mortgages (AP) - AP - Commercial mortgages were among the best-performing loans and leases held by banks and thrifts in the fourth quarter of last year, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Tuesday.

Oil prices claw back ground (AFP) -

Oil drilling rigs in Midland County, Texas, in 2008. World oil prices firmed on Wednesday before the eagerly-awaited weekly snapshot on US energy inventories in leading consumer the United States.(AFP/File/Mira Oberman) AFP - World oil prices firmed on Wednesday before the eagerly-awaited weekly snapshot on US energy inventories in leading consumer the United States.

Stocks leaning toward gains - U.S. stocks were set for a slightly higher open Wednesday as investors awaited the first major economic readings of the week.

The Dow's best performer is ... - The hottest blue chip stock this year isn't what you think. It's not a big bank on the mend, a gadget maker with a hot new product, or a retailer with soaring sales.

Oil falls as the dollar firms - Oil prices fell Tuesday as a stronger dollar overshadowed a modest advance on Wall Street.

Treasurys inch up amid strong demand for 3-year notes - Treasurys inched slightly higher Tuesday, in the midst of the government's $40 billion auction of 3-year notes -- the first of several multibillion-dollar note and bond offerings in the coming days.

Dollar mixed in quiet trading - The dollar recovered losses versus the euro and rose against the pound, but fell versus the yen in quiet trading Tuesday.

No 'Lost Decade' for these techs - The technology sector is arguably the healthiest in the economy right now. But here's a sobering thought: Most major tech stocks are probably never going to get back to the levels they were at a decade ago.

Nasdaq at 18-month highs - Stocks ended little changed Monday, although the Nasdaq managed to close at an 18-month high, as investors weighed corporate deals, a stronger dollar and weaker commodity prices ahead of key economic news due later this week.

Treasurys retreat in wake of supply wave - Treasurys continued in a downward trend Monday as investors anticipate a major boost in supply this week. The government will launch multibillion-dollar auctions of Treasurys starting Tuesday.

Dollar slides versus euro - The dollar weakened against the euro Monday after French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Europe is ready to help Greece if needed, boosting investor optimism about the nation's debt crisis.

Oil edges higher on upbeat sentiment - Oil prices rose Monday amid ongoing optimism about an economic recovery following last week's jobs report.

An easy fix for a tricky securities problem - A few days ago, I watched one of California's top high school economics teachers lead a class in a discussion of the differences between the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. I'm applying for my own teaching credential and was there observing.

Bears vs. bulls as anniversary looms - A year after the financial crisis hit its nadir and the market plunged to a 12-year low, stocks have recovered but investors remain wary.

Nasdaq at 18-month high - Stocks rallied Friday, with the Nasdaq ending at an 18-month high, after a government report showed employers cut fewer positions last month than had been expected, in the latest sign that the pace of job cuts is slowing.

Economic snow job - The only professionals with a worse reputation than meterologists for predicting the future are economists.

Good news about jobs, bad for bonds - Treasurys fell Friday as investors shifted into riskier assets, like stocks, which rallied following a jobs report that showed the pace of job losses abating.