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Stocks climb after Fed pledges to hold rates low (AP)

Im this March 16, 2010 photo, traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York. Stock prices rose Wednesday, March 17, after U.S. and Japanese central banks reaffirmed plans to keep interest rates low in an effort to drive economic growth. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)AP - The stock market continued its steady advance of the past month after the Federal Reserve said it would keep interest rates low to revive the economy.



Italy sees self as resilient to economic collapse (AP)

FILE - In this file photo taken Feb. 3, 2010, oncoming demonstrators shout slogans during a labour strike outside the Fiat Mirafiori assembly plant in Turin, northern Italy. Will the Italian economy be the next to face a crisis? Italians, by nature prone to living in the moment, aren't much worried. But even as Greece wins temporary respite from its debt crisis, Italy remains in the sights of the world's euro-skeptics for good reasons. (AP Photo/Massimo Pinca, File)AP - As Greece wins at least temporary respite from its debt troubles, will Italy be the next to face a crisis?



February wholesale prices drop 0.6 percent (AP)

In this photo made March 3, 2010, customers look at bagels at Costco in Mountain View, Calif. Prices at the wholesale level plunged in February by the largest amount in seven months as a big drop in energy prices offset higher food costs. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)AP - Prices at the wholesale level plunged in February by the largest amount in seven months as a big drop in energy prices offset higher food costs.



Fed boss makes case to keep all banking duties (AP)

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2010 file photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Bernanke on Wednesday, March 17 will make the case to Congress on that the Fed should retain supervision of smaller banks. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)AP - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged Congress Wednesday to let the Fed keep all of its banking oversight, arguing that information gleaned from that process helps the central bank guide the economy.



Report: Overhaul doesn't reduce tax credits enough (AP)
AP - Lawmakers' efforts to overhaul the state's complex system of tax credits falls short of the money-saving goals set by Gov. Chet Culver, according to a new report from a liberal think tank.


SEC boss: Agency examining companies (AP)

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 17, 2010, before the House Appropriation subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2011 budget request for the SEC. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)AP - The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission confirmed Wednesday the agency is investigating several companies' actions in the run-up to the financial crisis of 2008.



Judge freezes assets of accused account hackers (Reuters)
Reuters - A U.S. judge froze the assets of Russian hackers who allegedly hijacked online brokerage accounts and then placed unauthorized trades in order to manipulate markets.


Obama says U.S., Ireland see economic stabilization (Reuters)
Reuters - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that he and Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen see signs of economic stabilization on both sides of the Atlantic but more work is needed for job creation.


YRC says March volume up; still on shaky ground (AP)
AP - YRC Worldwide Inc., one of the country's largest trucking companies, said Wednesday that shipping volume is improving this month after two months of severe winter storms.


Greece may turn to IMF if EU fails to deliver (AP)

FILE - In this file photo taken Feb. 3, 2010, oncoming demonstrators shout slogans during a labour strike outside the Fiat Mirafiori assembly plant in Turin, northern Italy. Will the Italian economy be the next to face a crisis? Italians, by nature prone to living in the moment, aren't much worried. But even as Greece wins temporary respite from its debt crisis, Italy remains in the sights of the world's euro-skeptics for good reasons. (AP Photo/Massimo Pinca, File)AP - Greece could seek IMF funding to help overcome its debt crisis, if its EU partners do not provide "clear support" next week, government officials said Wednesday.



Moving target: Goal for foreclosure aid in dispute (AP)
AP - Last year, the message was clear. Now it is murky.


Greek premier refuses to rule out IMF appeal (AFP)

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso (R) greets Greek Prime Minister Georgios Andreas Papandreou (L) after their working session at the EU headquarters in Brussels. Papandreou on Wednesday refused to rule out an appeal for aid to the IMF, if European backing is insufficient to resolve its debt crisis.(AFP/Georges Gobet)AFP - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday refused to rule out an appeal for aid to the IMF, if European backing is insufficient to resolve its debt crisis.



Zara owner's profits rise on strong Asia sales (AFP)

Clothes from Zara, the flagship outlet of Spain's Inditex group, stand ready for departure at Inditexs' headquarters in Arteixo, Spain, in 2006. Spain's Inditex, Europe's biggest clothing retailer, on Wednesday posted a rise in fourth-quarter net profit as strong sales abroad, especially in Asia, offset sluggish domestic demand.(AFP/File/Miguel Riopa)AFP - Spain's Inditex, Europe's biggest clothing retailer and the company behind Zara, posted Wednesday a rise in profit as strong sales abroad, especially in Asia, offset sluggish domestic demand.



Wells Fargo signs up for loan modification program (AP)
AP - Wells Fargo & Co. has become the second bank to sign up for a government program to modify second mortgages.


Oil nears $83 as crude supplies grow (AP)

Oil prices slumped Monday amid a rising US dollar and concerns over energy demand as traders eyed the OPEC cartel's output meeting this week.(AFP/File/Kenzo Tribouillard)AP - Oil prices settled near $83 a barrel Wednesday after crude inventories grew less than expected last week, and the stock market rose on the Fed's promise to keep interest rates at record lows.



UAW votes on agreement to shut down Calif. plant (AP)
AP - The United Auto Workers says employees at California's sole remaining auto plant will likely ratify an agreement to shut down the facility.


When Will Mortgage Rates Go Up? (BusinessWeek)
BusinessWeek - Over the last several months, I've written a lot about the current state of residential real estate, and the opportunities made available by the combination of lower housing prices and falling interest rates. As we approach the end of this year's residential real estate buying-and-selling season, this is a good time to start thinking about what might lie ahead.