Government Lawyer Warned on Hunt's Support of News Corp.-Sky Deal

Before the U.K. appointed Jeremy Hunt to oversee News Corp.'s Sky bid, a government lawyer warned that Hunt's previous public statements on the bid could spark criticism.

Moody's Lowers Nordic Banks

Moody's Investor Service downgraded a range of major banks in Sweden and Norway, the latest in a Europe-wide round of downgrades started earlier this month with cuts to 26 Italian lenders.

China Pushes More Private Investment

China will encourage more private investment in state-controlled companies to aid their restructuring at a time when the profitability of the state sector is flagging.

No-Show Director Re-Elected

Sirius XM shareholders voted 2-to-1 against Leon Black, but he kept his seat anyway because there were no alternative candidates.

No-Show Director Reelected

Sirius XM shareholders voted 2-to-1 against Leon Black, but he kept his seat anyway because there were no alternative candidates.

U.S. Steers Clear of Yuan Labeling

Obama administration officials said China's currency remains "significantly undervalued" but again didn't label Beijing a currency manipulator in a semiannual report to Congress.

Sanctions May Snag EU Oil Firms

An EU ban on Iran's oil contains little-understood provisions that could complicate business for companies in Asia.

P&G to Alter Tide Pods Packaging

Procter & Gamble is changing the packaging design of its Tide Pods laundry detergent to deter children from eating the brightly colored packets.

China Pushes More Private Investment

China will encourage more private investment in state-controlled companies to aid their restructuring at a time when the profitability of the state sector is flagging.

Talbots Loses Suitor

Talbots said its exclusivity agreement with Sycamore Partners has expired without agreeing to a takeover deal. Talbots' stock fell sharply in early trading.

Icahn Takes Chesapeake Stake

Activist investor Carl Icahn skewered Chesapeake Energy's board for corporate governance controversies and "irresponsible actions" while disclosing he acquired a sizeable new stake in the company.

Syngenta Settles Weedkiller Lawsuit

Syngenta agreed to pay $105 million to settle a lawsuit by several Midwestern water companies related to its weedkiller atrazine.

Trader Testifies About P&G Plays

A former hedge-fund trader told jurors at the insider-trading trial of ex-Procter & Gamble director Rajat Gupta that he bet the company's stock would fall based on inside information purportedly from a P&G board member.

P&G to Change Tide Pods Packaging

Procter & Gamble is changing the packaging design of its Tide Pods laundry detergent to deter children from eating the brightly colored packets.

Talbots Deal Falls Apart; Shares Plunge 41%

Shares of Talbots slumped Friday as the women's retailer was left looking for a new suitor after Sycamore Partners opted not to pursue a takeover.

Hunt's News Corp. Role Under Fire

Before the U.K. appointed Jeremy Hunt to oversee News Corp.'s Sky bid, a government lawyer warned that Hunt's previous public statements on the bid could spark criticism.

Icahn Takes Chesapeake Energy Stake

Activist investor Carl Icahn skewered Chesapeake Energy's board for corporate governance controversies and "irresponsible actions" while disclosing he acquired a sizeable new stake in the company.

J.P. Morgan Plans Risk-Panel Shift

The board of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is expected to shake up its risk-policy committee in the wake of more than $2 billion in trading losses.

New Signs of Global Slowdown

New signs of a global slowdown are darkening the economic outlook, with measures of business sentiment in Europe slipping and reports from manufacturers around the world turning down.

GM Says Ad Deal Wasn't Vetted

General Motors said the awarding of a $600,000 contract to an ad agency employing the wife of the auto maker's finance chief violated company policy because it wasn't vetted by GM's chief executive.