Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to open without a director

When it opens its doors next week, the federal government's new agency to protect consumers from financial fraud won't be quite the aggressive...

Two top News Corp. executives resign

The News Corp. phone-hacking scandal claimed two high-ranking executives running the company's U.S. and British operations as Chief Executive Rupert...

Nissan Leaf far outselling Chevrolet Volt

When it comes to sales of electric vehicles, Nissan's Leaf is charging ahead.

AFTRA ratifies contract that includes fee for streaming games

Actors and other performers who work on video games from such companies as Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard Inc. will now be paid a one-time...

Mattel says second-quarter profit rose 56%

Toy giant Mattel Inc. reported Friday that second-quarter profit rose 56%, and company executives hinted that the company's long-running battle with...

Carl Icahn offers to buy Clorox in $10.2-billion deal

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn put Clorox Co. in play Friday, offering $10.2 billion for the bleach maker and suggesting that its rivals should...

8 European banks flunk stress test

Eight of 90 European banks have flunked stress tests that project how they would fare in another recession, and 16 barely passed, Europe's banking...

Citigroup posts sixth straight quarterly profit

Citigroup Inc. turned a profit for the sixth straight quarter as losses from failed loans declined and lending increased in Asia and Latin America.

Auto and clothing prices rose in June

The cost of living fell last month for the first time in a year, mainly because of lower gasoline prices, but another key measure of inflation...

Credit Suisse targeted in U.S. tax evasion probe

The United States Justice Department is investigating whether Credit Suisse Group helped wealthy American clients evade taxes by keeping money in...

'Harry Potter' may work its magic at box office and break records

She had steamed the wrinkles out of her wizard robe. The butterbeer, based on the house drink at Hogsmeade, was brewing. And she had reserved her...

Stocks close losing week with a day of gains

A late rally Friday prevented the stock market from having its worst week in nearly a year.

California may join probe of Wall Street's role in mortgage meltdown

California is considering joining New York and Delaware in a wide-ranging investigation into Wall Street's role in the mortgage meltdown that could...

Earnings report is good news for Google, CEO

Larry Page got a second chance to make an impression on Wall Street.

Petra Ecclestone buys Spelling mansion for $85 million

The biggest home in Los Angeles County is ready for a new nickname: The 56,500-square-foot Manor, dubbed Candyland after owner Candy Spelling, has...

Anthem, Blue Shield to cover therapy for autistic children

Two of California's largest health insurers have agreed to pay for costly behavioral therapy for thousands of autistic children — services the...

Spotify's digital music service debuts in U.S.

Sweden's Spotify digital music service arrived in the U.S. with its catalog of 15 million songs and an operation that is primed to shake up the world'...

Gay and straight couples should pay equal domestic-partnership fees

Mara Schmid and her partner have been together for about two years. With same-sex marriage still up in the air in California, the couple recently...

California's housing market picks up in June

California's sluggish housing market showed some signs of life in June, with both Southern California and the Bay Area notching sales increases from...

Traffic at L.A. and Long Beach ports falls in June

The nation's busiest seaport complex saw its first year-to-year cargo decline in 19 months in June, down 4.4% compared with the same month last...

Warner Center apartment complex sells for $133 million

In one of the largest property sales in Los Angeles County since the real estate boom of the mid-2000s, a new Warner Center apartment complex has...

Video game sales slide 10% in June

Video game sales plunged again in June, dropping 10% from a year ago, as consumers greeted some new releases with a yawn and as sales continue to...

Makers of food, drinks marketed to children propose their own rules

In an effort to forestall proposed government regulation of food and beverage products that can be advertised to children, some of the biggest...

Defaulting on securities could cause financial chaos, Bernanke warns

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned U.S. lawmakers Thursday that they would deliver a "self-inflicted" wound to the nation's economy by...

Stocks erase gains as Bernanke dims stimulus hopes

Remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that dimmed hopes for a third round of bond-buying pushed stocks lower Thursday.

ConocoPhillips plans to split into 2 companies

NEW YORK — Oil giant ConocoPhillips said Thursday it would split into two companies: one that produces oil and another that refines it into...

Retail sales up slightly in June after May drop

Consumers spent more on cars and in big chain stores in June, but falling gas prices held back retail sales.

Claims for jobless benefits fall more than expected

WASHINGTON — New applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in three months, suggesting fewer layoffs in early...

Groupon asks investors to ignore co-founder's reported statement

Groupon Inc. has filed an amended document for its planned initial public offering that asks investors to ignore a reported statement by company co-...