WSJ.com: What's News US Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:19:42 EST

Dow at Highest Since May 2008  - The blue-chip stock index rose 156.82 points to its highest level since May 2008, several months before the financial crisis, as better economic news encouraged investors to set aside their fears and focus on fundamentals. The Nasdaq hit its highest close since December 2000. Jobs Data Show Growth Is Sustained  - The U.S. economy added more jobs in January than in any month since early last year, pushing down the jobless rate to a level not seen since Obama's first full month in office. Goldman Cuts Blankfein's Bonus  - Goldman Sachs cut CEO Lloyd Blankfein's stock bonus for the first time since the financial crisis, the latest sign that Wall Street executives are paying for a year of mixed financial performance. Micron Technology Announces New Chief  - Micron Technology Inc. announced Mark Durcan, 51, had been appointed chief executive replacing Steven Appleton, who was killed Friday when the small plane he was piloting crashed at an airport near the company headquarters in Boise, Idaho. Caterpillar Closes Plant in Canada After Lockout  - Caterpillar said it will close a locomotive plant in London, Ontario, following a lockout, eliminating about 450 jobs that mostly paid twice the rate of a U.S. counterpart. H-P to Put Proxy-Access Proposal to Vote  - Hewlett-Packard agreed to give its stockholders the chance to approve so-called proxy access through a bylaw vote at its 2013 annual meeting. New Car Prices Rising Along With Sales  - U.S. auto dealers are now selling vehicles at historically high prices in another sign the auto industry's recovery is moving into the fast lane. Citi Hit in Brazilian Hacker Attack  - A computer hacker group continued a wave of attacks against Brazilian financial websites, hampering the sites of Citigroup and other prominent institutions. FDA: No Ban on Orange-Juice Imports  - Orange-juice futures settled lower as traders discounted the prospects for a ban on juice imports into the U.S. It appears they weren't off the mark. RBS 'Surprised' by Pay Backlash  - RBS's chairman acknowledged that the bank had miscalculated the public and political reaction to the $1.5 million bonus in shares awarded to CEO Stephen Hester, who subsequently turned down the payment. Interest-Rate Probe Widens  - Regulators in Switzerland and the U.K. stepped up pressure on Swiss and foreign banks, extending a probe into alleged manipulation of interest rates and disclosing possible action against UBS in a trading scandal. Fed May Sell More AIG Bonds as Risk Hunger Picks Up  - The New York Fed is asking for bids on some $6 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities from its Maiden Lane II portfolio it took on as part of the 2008 bailout of American International Group. China Tamps Down Europe Aid Fears  - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sought to assuage concerns over Chinese investment in Europe, saying China has no intention to "buy" the continent. With Role Lessened, Loan Chief Exits BofA  - Barbara Desoer, a high-profile mortgage executive who once was a candidate to become chief executive of Bank of America, is leaving as the financial giant retreats from the home-loan business. Injunction Interrupts Apple Sales in Germany  - Some Apple devices were unavailable for sale briefly on Friday in Germany, as part of a patent tussle with Motorola Mobility. Despite Intervention, Brazil's Currency Gains  - Brazil's real climbed against the dollar after strong U.S. jobs figures outweighed the central bank's intervention in an attempt to weaken the currency. Walgreen Same-Store Sales Decline  - Walgreen's same-store sales slid 4.6% in January as the drugstore chain's prescriptions sales were battered by the loss of major customer Express Scripts. Clorox Posts Strong Sales for Quarter  - Clorox said fiscal second-quarter sales rose more than expected with help from higher prices, overcoming concerns that tepid demand in North America would crimp sales for household staples. Hutchison Whampoa Buys Orange Austria  - Hutchison Whampoa agreed to buy Austria's third-largest mobile operator for about $1.71 billion in a move that will enable the Hong Kong conglomerate to expand its market share in Austria. Restructuring Costs Weigh on Weyerhaeuser  - Weyerhaeuser's fourth-quarter earnings fell 62% as the company booked restructuring charges and write-downs, while the wood-products segment posted softer sales. Panasonic Forecasts $10 Billion Loss  - Panasonic revised its forecast loss for the current fiscal year to more than $10 billion, which would be the second-largest ever for a Japanese manufacturer. Aon's Profit Rises 20%  - Aon's fourth-quarter profit rose 20% as the insurance brokerage and consulting firm logged solid results in its human-resources business and benefited from restructuring. Nikon Sinks to Loss on Thai Floods  - Nikon said it slipped into a net loss in the October-December quarter, as it absorbed the impact of floods on its operations in Thailand. Cost Cuts Boost BT  - BT Group posted a 41% jump in third-quarter net profit, aided by further cost cutting, lower finance expenses and new contracts, and said it will reach some of its earnings targets a year earlier than expected.

WSJ.com: What's News Technology Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:24:41 EST

Micron CEO Dies in Crash  - Steven R. Appleton, chairman and chief executive of Micron Technology died Friday when the high-performance airplane he was piloting crashed at Boise, Idaho's airport. Benefits and Barriers as Facebook's Friend  - Russian investor Yuri Milner stands to reap a multibillion-dollar windfall from his early bet on Facebook stock. But in return, he has agreed to terms that handcuff what he can do with his Facebook shares. H-P to Put Proxy-Access Proposal to Vote  - Hewlett-Packard agreed to give its stockholders the chance to approve so-called proxy access through a bylaw vote at its 2013 annual meeting. Citi Hit in Brazilian Hacker Attack  - A computer hacker group continued a wave of attacks against Brazilian financial websites, hampering the sites of Citigroup and other prominent institutions. MTN Probes Bribery Claims  - Shares of South African mobile-phone operator MTN fell after the company said it is investigating claims by Turkey's largest mobile-phone operator that it engaged in corruption to secure a deal in Iran. Megaupload Founder Is Denied Bail  - A New Zealand court denied an appeal for bail Friday by Kim Dotcom, the jailed founder of the file-sharing website Megaupload. Injunction Interrupts Apple Sales in Germany  - Some Apple devices were unavailable for sale briefly on Friday in Germany, as part of a patent tussle with Motorola Mobility. Samsung Says EU Probe Will Find It Compliant  - Samsung Electronics, in its first acknowledgment of the European Commission's antitrust investigation of its patent licensing practices, said it believed the commission would ultimately conclude the company complies with the rules. Cost Cuts Boost BT  - BT Group posted a 41% jump in third-quarter net profit, aided by further cost cutting, lower finance expenses and new contracts, and said it will reach some of its earnings targets a year earlier than expected. Panasonic Forecasts $10 Billion Loss  - Panasonic revised its forecast loss for the current fiscal year to more than $10 billion, which would be the second-largest ever for a Japanese manufacturer. The $100 Billion Question for Facebook  - What is Facebook worth? Analysts and investors are circulating a range of values, from $50 billion to $125 billion. Facebook Sets Historic IPO  - Facebook filed for an initial public offering Wednesday that could value the social network between $75 billion and $100 billion, putting the company on track for one of the biggest U.S. stock-market debuts of all time. Sony's U.S. Puzzle  - Incoming Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai will need to tread carefully with the company's movie and music divisions, whose profits are important counterpoints to deep losses elsewhere at the company. Google Beefs Up Security on Its Android Market  - Google has beefed up security on its Android mobile-device software to better prevent "malicious" software from residing in its app store. U.S. Cracks Down on Sports Streamers  - Federal authorities announced a crackdown on websites that stream unauthorized broadcasts of sports events. Sony Slashes Forecast  - Sony said it veered into a fiscal third-quarter net loss of more than $2 billion and forecast a much wider full-year loss than previously expected, dragged down by losses in its TV business and the impact of the strong yen on its European operations. Web Streaming Is Viacom's Boon and Bane  - Web streaming is boosting Viacom's profit—but it may be undercutting it as well. Amazon Launches New Website for India  - Amazon.com announced its entry into the Indian online retail market with a new website, Junglee.com, which will enable customers to browse for products from a wide variety of stores and then shop for them either online or in person. Tel Aviv Takes the Tech-Hub Crown  - In many ways, Tel Aviv has London and Berlin beat as the Europe area's main technology hub. Samsung: Court Rejects Apple Bid  - Samsung Electronics said the Munich Regional Court has rejected Apple's request to ban sales in Germany of the Korean company's tablet computers and Nexus smartphones.

WSJ.com: US Business Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:14:07 EST

Micron CEO Dies in Crash  - Steven R. Appleton, chairman and chief executive of Micron Technology died Friday when the high-performance airplane he was piloting crashed at Boise, Idaho's airport. Caterpillar Closes Plant in Canada After Lockout  - Caterpillar said it will close a locomotive plant in London, Ontario, following a lockout, eliminating about 450 jobs that mostly paid twice the rate of a U.S. counterpart. Dealer Group Expects New Vehicle Sales to Hit 13.9 Million  - U.S. automotive sales should hit 13.9 million new vehicles this year as low interest rates and a mild recession in Europe keep the American economy humming. Injunction Interrupts Apple Sales in Germany  - Some Apple devices were unavailable for sale briefly on Friday in Germany, as part of a patent tussle with Motorola Mobility. Toyota Expects Record Sales in 2012  - Toyota said it plans to sell 9.58 million vehicles globally, including those by its subsidiaries—a rise of 21% from last year. Walgreen Same-Store Sales Decline  - Walgreen's same-store sales slid 4.6% in January as the drugstore chain's prescriptions sales were battered by the loss of major customer Express Scripts. FDA: No Ban on Orange-Juice Imports  - Orange-juice futures settled lower as traders discounted the prospects for a ban on juice imports into the U.S. It appears they weren't off the mark. Worn Pipes Shut California Reactors  - The two reactors at the San Onofre nuclear-power station will stay shut down this weekend while federal safety officials investigate why critical—and relatively new—equipment is showing signs of premature wear. Restructuring Costs Weigh on Weyerhaeuser  - Weyerhaeuser's fourth-quarter earnings fell 62% as the company booked restructuring charges and write-downs, while the wood-products segment posted softer sales. H-P to Put Proxy-Access Proposal to Vote  - Hewlett-Packard agreed to give its stockholders the chance to approve so-called proxy access through a bylaw vote at its 2013 annual meeting. New Car Prices Rising Along With Sales  - U.S. auto dealers are now selling vehicles at historically high prices in another sign the auto industry's recovery is moving into the fast lane. Clorox Posts Strong Sales for Quarter  - Clorox said fiscal second-quarter sales rose more than expected with help from higher prices, overcoming concerns that tepid demand in North America would crimp sales for household staples. Tyson Foods Posts Lower Profit  - Tyson Foods reported a 48% drop in earnings on lower beef and chicken sales volume, though price increases helped boost revenue. Upbeat Beam Sees Glass as Half-Full  - Spirits maker Beam, which posted better-than-expected earnings, expects established brands and new flavors to help it outperform the broader category's growth this year. Xiwang Special Steel Plans IPO  - China's Xiwang Special Steel plans to raise up to $217 million in a Hong Kong initial public offering, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday. MTN Probes Bribery Claims  - Shares of South African mobile-phone operator MTN fell after the company said it is investigating claims by Turkey's largest mobile-phone operator that it engaged in corruption to secure a deal in Iran. Panasonic Forecasts $10 Billion Loss  - Panasonic revised its forecast loss for the current fiscal year to more than $10 billion, which would be the second-largest ever for a Japanese manufacturer. Volvo Sees Profit Jump  - Swedish truck maker Volvo reported a forecast-beating net profit in the fourth quarter, but felt the sting from the euro-zone's debt woes as European truck orders plunged. Nikon Sinks to Loss on Thai Floods  - Nikon said it slipped into a net loss in the October-December quarter, as it absorbed the impact of floods on its operations in Thailand. Man Sentenced in Marriott Hacking  - A Hungarian man was sentenced to two and a half years in prison Friday for hacking into Marriott International's computer system and threatening to reveal confidential business information if the company didn't give him a job. Pemex Seeks to Add Conoco, Shell Subsidiaries to Suit  - Pemex has filed a motion to add ConocoPhillips and subsidiaries of Shell PLC to a 2010 suit that seeks damages against companies that had allegedly purchased natural-gas condensate that Pemex said was stolen from its operations in northern Mexico. Brunello Cucinelli Files for IPO in Milan  - Brunello Cucinelli, the Italian founder of the premium cashmere clothing line of the same name, said he had filed a request with regulators to list a third of his company's stock in Milan. Dr. Reddy's Profit Soars 88%  - Dr. Reddy's Laboratories reported a better-than-expected 88% rise in third quarter consolidated net profit, led primarily by exclusive sales of a generic schizophrenia drug in the U.S. and also the weak Indian rupee. Aon's Profit Rises 20%  - Aon's fourth-quarter profit rose 20% as the insurance brokerage and consulting firm logged solid results in its human-resources business and benefited from restructuring. Tepco to Lift Corporate Electricity Rates  - The president of Tokyo Electric Power Co. indicated that the utility will go ahead with an electricity rate increase for corporate customers in April, emphasizing that the move is necessary to keep the company afloat. Cost Cuts Boost BT  - BT Group posted a 41% jump in third-quarter net profit, aided by further cost cutting, lower finance expenses and new contracts, and said it will reach some of its earnings targets a year earlier than expected. Web Streaming Is Viacom's Boon and Bane  - Web streaming is boosting Viacom's profit—but it may be undercutting it as well. Wynn Plays Down Director's Suit  - Steve Wynn sought to play down a battle with a key shareholder as Wynn Resorts said profit surged in its fourth quarter. LVMH Calls 2011 a Year 'Of Global Prosperity'  - LVMH reported strong earnings for last year. The luxury-goods maker's sales jumped 16%, powered by the U.S. and Asia. AMD CEO Vows To Move Beyond 'Unhealthy Duopoly'  - Advanced Micro Devices' new leader vowed to shift the chip maker's strategy to focus less on its longtime competition with Intel, suggesting that the Silicon Valley giant's influence over the tech sector is fading.

WSJ.com: Markets Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:51:20 EST

Citi Hit in Brazilian Hacker Attack  - A computer hacker group continued a wave of attacks against Brazilian financial websites, hampering the sites of Citigroup and other prominent institutions. With Role Lessened, Loan Chief Exits BofA  - Barbara Desoer, a high-profile mortgage executive who once was a candidate to become chief executive of Bank of America, is leaving as the financial giant retreats from the home-loan business. Upbeat Beam Sees Glass as Half-Full  - Spirits maker Beam, which posted better-than-expected earnings, expects established brands and new flavors to help it outperform the broader category's growth this year. Facebook and the St. Petersburg Paradox  - Investors thinking about Facebook should consider a mathematical riddle that shows how growth stocks can get overvalued so easily. Oil Partnerships Keep Rolling  - A quirky and complex investment class called master limited partnerships has been one of the market's best performers of late. Despite Intervention, Brazil's Currency Gains  - Brazil's real climbed against the dollar after strong U.S. jobs figures outweighed the central bank's intervention in an attempt to weaken the currency. Jobs Data Help Dollar Gain  - A surprisingly strong jobs report boosted the dollar, as evidence of a rebounding labor market helped diminish expectations of more expansionary monetary policy by the Federal Reserve. MTN Probes Bribery Claims  - Shares of South African mobile-phone operator MTN fell after the company said it is investigating claims by Turkey's largest mobile-phone operator that it engaged in corruption to secure a deal in Iran. Interest-Rate Probe Widens  - Regulators in Switzerland and the U.K. stepped up pressure on Swiss and foreign banks, extending a probe into alleged manipulation of interest rates and disclosing possible action against UBS in a trading scandal. RBS 'Surprised' by Pay Backlash  - RBS's chairman acknowledged that the bank had miscalculated the public and political reaction to the $1.5 million bonus in shares awarded to CEO Stephen Hester, who subsequently turned down the payment. Hutchison Whampoa Buys Orange Austria  - Hutchison Whampoa agreed to buy Austria's third-largest mobile operator for about $1.71 billion in a move that will enable the Hong Kong conglomerate to expand its market share in Austria. Mexico Drought Chokes Cattle, Crops  - The worst drought on record in various parts of Mexico has destroyed millions of acres of cropland and left millions of livestock without food. Mild Winter Leaves Some Cold  - The relatively mild U.S. winter is saving cities money on salt and snowplowing but hurting businesses that rely on cold to bring in cash. FDA: No Ban on Orange-Juice Imports  - Orange-juice futures settled lower as traders discounted the prospects for a ban on juice imports into the U.S. It appears they weren't off the mark. Gold Shines Over Platinum  - Platinum is usually more expensive than gold, but worries about Europe and global growth have turned the historical norm on its head. Copper Surges 3.2%  - Copper futures roared higher on better-than-expected U.S. employment data and as traders who bet on lower copper prices were forced to cover those positions with purchases.

WSJ.com: Opinion Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:15:33 EST

Race for the Smear  - A cancer charity gets a brutal lesson in abortion politics. Bill Ayer: An Airline That Makes Money. Really.  - The Alaska Airlines CEO talks about surviving the industry's last horrible decade, and how to make money when everyone else is losing it. Jenkins: Rich, Rich Facebook  - Can the social network extract enough money from its members to justify a $100 billion price tag? A January Jobs Thaw  - Obama: 'We can't let Washington stand in the way.' Smile. Paper Allies  - Europe must not have received Panetta's burden sharing memo. Peter Berkowitz: Sex Smears and the Rule of Law at Yale  - The university has tarnished a student's reputation, and its own. Steven Malanga: New Jersey's Judicial Road to Fiscal Perdition  - For decades the state supreme court has forced unwanted spending on the Garden State. Notable & Quotable  - Isabel Paterson on why charity is necessarily secondary to production. Hail, the Conquering Heroine  - In "Barbara Stanwyck," Dan Callahan describes the life and art of the woman who taught Hollywood how to act. The Ultimate Brain Quest  - Deciphering how human thought works is mind-bendingly difficult, but at least researchers now know where to start. The goal: mapping the thousands of connections made by millions of neurons that encode all our hopes, desires, beliefs and memories. The Blame Game  - Where does our propensity to blame others come from? One theory traces the habit to Eve, who reproached a talking snake for persuading her to pick the forbidden fruit. Dave Shiflett reviews "Scapegoat." Five Best Books: Boundary-Pushing Women  - Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer John Matteson on memorable portraits of Katharine Hepburn, Emily Brontë, newspaper publisher Katharine Graham, photographer Dorothea Lange and the Federalist-era women's rights advocate Judith Sargent Murray. Noonan: A Battle the President Can't Win  - His decision on Catholic charities makes Romney's big gaffe look trivial. Best of the Web Today: Big Sister Is Watching You  - Totalitarian feminism and the smearing of Susan G. Komen.