China Speculation Leads Shanghai Higher Talk of a possible economic stimulus package sent China and Hong Kong markets higher.

Toronto Featured In New Global Version Of Monopoly Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are among 22 other world cities included in the latest version of the iconic game.

Barclays sees potential in US Barclays would consider buying a US wealth management company but is 'highly unlikely' to bid for an investment bank, even with the depressed share prices of many Wall Street firms, Bob Diamond, the bank's president, said on Tuesday

Investors slam shares of Babcock satellites Investors punished shares of the satellite groups of Babcock & Brown a day after the parent company's decision to halt trading ahead of a review of the future of its board and management

Macquarie fund to sell airport stakes Macquarie Airports, a fund managed by Australian investment bank Macquarie Group, posted a first-half loss and said it would reduce its stakes in two airports to cut debt, sending its shares up sharply

Ferrovial objects to BAA break-up plan Spain's Ferrovial said a proposal by UK regulators to break up its subsidiary BAA would lead to poorer standards of services and a delay in the delivery of new runways. But investors were initial cheered by the prospect of a lighter debt load

Fed mortgage bailout soon, analysts say Investors say a U.S. Treasury move to bail out two huge government-sponsored mortgage lenders is only a matter of time.

Crude oil prices up slightly Crude oil prices rose Wednesday to about $115 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, following Tuesday's gain prompted by the depreciating U.S. dollar.

Nokia to cut 200 jobs in services, software division LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Mobile phone giant Nokia Corp. said Wednesday that it will cut around 200 jobs in its services and software division as part of a revamp of its global research and development activities. The group said it aims to find alternative work for as many of the employees as possible within Nokia. The company added its Internet services strategy will continue unchanged, with a focus on music, games, messaging and location-based services. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

German cabinet approves foreign-investment law LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Germany's Cabinet on Wednesday approved legislation that would let the government block foreign investors from taking large stakes in German companies if it decides such moves would endanger German interests, news reports said. The measure requires approval by parliament, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition has a large majority. Under the law, the government would be able to examine plans to purchase 25% or more of a German firm's voting shares by investors based outside the European Union or the European Free Trade Association, the Associated Press reported. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Gold futures edge up, as U.S. dollar rises vs. rivals NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Gold futures edged higher early Wednesday, boosted by rising oil prices, but strength in the U.S. dollar capped the metal's gains. Gold for December delivery rose $1.60 to $818.40 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Worries about growth outside the United States allowed the dollar to rebound Wednesday, sending the euro back toward six-month lows against the greenback and lifting the U.S. unit against most major counterparts. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Nedbank boosts Mvela's prospects Nedbank Capital will provide more than half of the funding for Mvelaphanda Resources' purchase of a bigger stake in Northam Platinum.

Mind CTI can finally report results - and write-offs The company obtained a valuation for its ARSs a few weeks ago.

Paulson says Americans should not fear Chinese economic clout U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says Americans should not fear China's growing economic clout, but rather see it as an opportunity that can benefit both China and the United States, if the two countries forge a successful strategic economic relationship in the years ahead.

Annual inflation in Zimbabwe passes 11 million percent The official inflation rate in the African nation Zimbabwe has now exceeded 11 million percent.

Mortgage applications slide, even though interest rates drop The Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday that mortgage loan applications fell 1.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis the ...

Miller revives 'Great Taste, Less Filling' ads MillerCoors LLC is reviving its "Great Taste, Less Filling" tag line, which was created more than 30 years ago.

10 Tips: Keep kids' sports costs in line Families spend at least $2,000 a year on sports-related expenses for their children. These tips can help you save money in this costly category as the new school year kicks into gear.

Oil prices steady ahead of inventory report Oil prices were steady Wednesday as investors awaited a weekly crude inventory report for evidence an economic slowdown in the U.S. is cutting consumer demand for oil products.

Battle to Succeed Musharraf Heats Up A major opposition party backed Benazir Bhutto's widower to become Pakistan's president, as the power struggle following the resignation of Musharraf intensified.

Aid Arrives in Georgia A convoy of trucks carrying food aid to Georgians rumbled through a Russian checkpoint, as Russian soldiers showed no signs of pulling back and a top general said Moscow plans to construct checkpoints in the so-called "security zone" around the border with South Ossetia.

Futures Drift Higher Stock futures pointed to opening gains as upbeat results from computer giant Hewlett-Packard overnight helped shift attention from financial-sector turbulence. Rallies in Asia and Europe helped boost sentiment.

Calif. Requires Hybrid Cars To Make Some Noise Steve Inskeep has today's Last Word in business

High-End Stores Share Discount Retailers' Woes Renee Montagne has this morning's business news.

AirMe to launch along with iPhone users AirMe, a pioneer in the mobile application industry, on Wednesday announced the availability of AIRME on the Apple App Store for new iPhone users. "AirMe is a free, easy-to-use downloaded application that allows iPhone users to take photos and have them instantly tagged and sent to the user's Flickr or Facebook accounts", it said.

Goodyear To Close 92 Underperforming Locations In a move to improve the profitability of its U.S. retail operations, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Tuesday said it plans to close 92 underperforming locations by the end of the year.

Farmer Mac Guarantees $475 Million Of 3-Year Notes The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) announced Tuesday that it completed a new transaction in which it is guaranteeing $475 million of three- year agricultural mortgage-backed Notes issued by M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank.

HP Posts 3Q Profit Jumps 14 Percent To $2.03B HP's PC business -- especially laptops -- helped rescue slumping consumer printing sales.

Ericsson, STMicro Merge Wireless Chips, Platforms The new company, announced on Wednesday, will bring together the Mobile Platforms unit of Ericsson.

Fannie/Freddie bailouts could hinge on bond payments Fannie, based in Washington, has about $120 billion of debt maturing through Sept. 30, while McLean, Va.-based Freddie has $103 billion, according to figures provided by the government-chartered companies and data compiled by Bloomberg.

Firm may face sale of two suburban London airports BAA Ltd., the owner of Heathrow, may be ordered by antitrust regulators to sell two London airports and one in Scotland, forcing a breakup of the 42-year-old former government agency after delays angered airlines and passengers.

New brands bring smile to House of Fraser Department stores group House of Fraser today reported steady sales growth as model Yasmin Le Bon helped it buck the High Street downturn

Iraq to tie up with China on oil field development Iraq's oil minister will be in China later this month to complete a $1.2-billion oil deal.

High energy costs cut two ways in Colorado President Bush won Colorado in 2000 and 2004, but Democrats hope to swing the state this year. Candidates will have to meet voter concerns about energy and the environment.

American Woodmark profit down 97% LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Kitchen cabinet maker American Woodmark Corp. said Wednesday that its fiscal first-quarter net profit fell 97% to $156,000, or a penny a share, from $5.1 million, or 34 cents a share, a year earlier. Net sales in the quarter declined 16% to $139.2 million. The group said its margins were also hit by rising fuel prices and raw materials costs. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Lehman nearly received $5 bln in funds from Korea: report LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Lehman Brothers nearly reached a deal to raise almost $5 billion from South Korean wealth funds and institutions, but the pact disintegrated, The New York Post reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The report said it's unclear why the deal fell apart earlier in the month. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

BJ's Wholesale net virtually flat, ups annual outlook LONDON (MarketWatch) -- BJ's Wholesale Club said second-quarter to Aug. 2 net income was about flat at $36.5 million, or 61 cents a share, compared to $36.3 million, or 55 cents a share. The quarter included 3 cents a share of favorable state income tax audit settlements. Sales climbed 18% to $2.65 billion, with comparable club sales up 15.5%. BJ's upped its annual earnings view to a range of $2.10 to $2.20, up from $2.04 to $2.14, and its board authorized an additional $200 million for share repurchases. Analysts polled by FactSet expected quarterly earnings of 57 cents a share and annual earnings of $2.14 a share. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Lion pounces back into black Lion of Africa returned to profitability in the first half the year after recording a loss of R34.4 million for the same period in 2007.

ArcelorMittal to build a port for London ArcelorMittal and Adriana Resources will build a port in Rio de Janeiro state as part of its acquisition of London Mining Brasil.

Top Nuclear Regulator Checks On Industry In West Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Dale Klein, in Colorado and Wyoming Tuesday to meet with uranium industry representatives and tour a mine, said it's a busy time at his agency.