Nasdaq's Facebook Plan Draws Ire

Criticism mounted to a plan by Nasdaq to compensate financial firms hit by the exchange's bungled launch of Facebook shares, with one rival exchange saying regulators are unlikely to approve it.

Samsung Names New Chief Executive

Samsung Electronics named Kwon Oh-hyun as its new CEO and redefined the position to create more separation between consumer and component businesses.

Sands Was Solicited in China

An adviser told Las Vegas Sands in 2009 that he was approached by "someone high ranking in Beijing" who proposed the casino firm pay $300 million to win permission to pursue a key asset sale and settle a suit.

Capital Rule Is One Size Fits All

The Fed shocked bankers by approving a proposal that would force even the smallest lenders to comply with the elaborate international bank-capital standards known as Basel III.

Apple Challenges Samsung Phone

Apple filed a lawsuit in the U.S. requesting a sales ban on Samsung's new smartphone, the Galaxy S III. Samsung said the launch will proceed.

Bernanke Notes Risks; Doesn't Signal Action

Bernanke cited significant risks to the U.S. economic recovery and said the Fed stands ready to act if necessary, but he stopped short of signaling imminent action.

Switzerland Battles to Limit Franc

The Swiss National Bank boosted its foreign reserves in May in an effort to hold the safe-haven franc under its official upper limit, in a sign of how the euro-zone debt crisis is rocking the finances of neighboring economies.

Best Buy Founder Jumps Ship

Best Buy founder and largest shareholder Richard Schulze resigned as chairman and a director to "explore all available options" for his 20% stake in the electronics retailer, a move that could make the retailer a takeover candidate.

CA Starts Hunt for Next Chief

CA Inc. is launching a search for a successor to McCracken, the business-software maker's chief executive.

Pfizer Prepares for IPO of Animal-Health Unit

Pfizer is preparing to sell shares in its animal-health unit as part of the drug maker's plan to focus on human pharmaceuticals. The company also disclosed a new name for the animal-health business, Zoetis.

Prada Cautious Despite Dazzling Profit

Prada reported stellar profits in the first quarter, with double-digit sales growth in all of the company's markets, but painted a cautious picture of the outlook for 2012, underlining the "uncertain international economic environment."

Barnes & Noble Objects to E-Book Settlement

Barnes & Noble objected to the proposed settlement of a U.S. government price-fixing case over e-books, saying the company and consumers would be hurt by the deal.

Private-Equity's Rougher Passage to India

In heady years like 2005 and 2010, some investors generated high returns in India, benefitting from the country's strong economic growth. Now firms are struggling to raise fresh capital as India's economic outlook dims.

Blue Chips Limp to a Win

The Dow industrials rose after action from China's central bankers to spur economic growth, but a weak reading on consumer credit and little new direction from the Fed kept a lid on gains.

Asian Milestone: As Banks Retreat, Bond Sales Surge

As Asian companies increasingly sell bonds for financing, they are finding eager buyers among the region's emerging affluent investors.

GE, Chevron Circle Myanmar

Chevron and GE are seeking deals in Myanmar as Washington slowly removes investment restrictions, playing catch-up to global rivals who have already rushed in to take advantage of the country's mostly untapped oil and gas wealth.

China Cuts Interest Rates

China made a surprise move to cut the cost of capital for businesses and reform its creaking approach to setting interest rates.

Chesapeake Directors Brace for Defeat

The two directors of Chesapeake Energy up for re-election at the company's annual meeting Friday appear headed for defeat as shareholders react to a string of controversies over governance and weak financial performance.

Russia Approves Privatization Plan

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev approved a long-awaited plan to sell stakes in a number of state-owned companies, including oil giant Rosneft.

Hovnanian Returns to Profit

Hovnanian Enterprises reported its first quarterly profit in more than two years as the home builder sold more houses, cut expenses and continued to pay off debt.