NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow and S&P 500 fell on Thursday as Wal-Mart's soft December sales and lowered earnings outlook increased worry the recession may be deepening, stretching consumers further.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff had signed checks totaling more than $173 million in his office desk ready to be sent out before his arrest, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Spreads on key debt and other financial indicators point to the effectiveness of the Treasury Department's $700 billion financial rescue program, the official in charge of the program said on Thursday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer borrowing dropped by a record $7.94 billion in November, a Federal Reserve report showed on Thursday, the latest evidence that households were unwilling or unable to take on more credit.
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