Financial News Updates

Toyota recalling Prius in Japan for brakes (AP)
Toyota is recalling nearly 200,000 of its signature Prius green cars in Japan for braking problems, the latest in a string of embarrassing safety problems at the world's largest automaker.

Oil below $72 in Asia amid economy doubts (AP)
Oil prices lingered below $72 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as investors remained uncertain about the strength of global economic growth and demand for crude.

Criminal probe is launched in Conn. plant blast (AP)
Authorities launched a criminal investigation Monday into the cause of an explosion that killed five people at a power plant under construction, saying they couldn't rule out negligence.

Electronic Arts shares dive on weak outlook (AP)
A disappointing outlook from Electronic Arts Inc. sent shares of the video game publisher sharply lower Monday, a sign that significant cost-cuts and layoffs have not ended the company's slump.

Judge promises to rule on SEC, BofA settlement (AP)
A judge promised Monday to decide by the end of next week whether to approve a $150 million settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of America over civil charges alleging the bank misled shareholders when it acquired Merrill Lynch.

Dow closes below 10,000 for first time in 3 months (AP)
The Dow Jones industrial average closed below 10,000 for the first time in three months Monday on nagging concerns about debt loads in Europe.

Super Bowl is most watched TV show ever (AP)
The New Orleans Saints' victory over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M-A-S-H" to become the most-watched program in U.S. television history, the Nielsen Co. said Monday.

Transformers drive Hasbro 4Q profit increase (AP)
Strength in its boys' brands like Transformers and Nerf, along with its core game brands including Scrabble and Monopoly, should boost Hasbro's results in 2010, the company said Monday.

Europe could face years-long debt grind (AP)
Is there any way out of Europe's debt morass? Greece's efforts to restore confidence in its finances have only called attention to its woes, and now investors are fretting debt contagion could spread to other countries, starting with similarly troubled Portugal, but with markets wondering who's next.