Free Financial Today

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Federal Reserve officials on Tuesday launched a vigorous defense of their dealings with American International Group, calling for a congressional audit and denying any inappropriate action with respect to payments the bailed-out insurer made to banks.

LONDON/CHICAGO (Reuters) – Kraft Foods sealed a friendly deal to buy British candy maker Cadbury for about $19.6 billion (11.9 billion pounds) after frantic last-minute talks broke an impasse over price.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – IBM raised its 2010 profit target and reported a stronger-than-expected, 9 percent increase in fourth-quarter earnings, as cost cuts and a shift to more profitable contracts helped it weather a slump in corporate spending.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – After reporting steep profit drops on Tuesday, the top two U.S. online brokerages asked for patience as they face more of the same low interest rates and hope their clients return to the markets in force this year.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – IBM raised its 2010 profit target and reported a stronger-than-expected 9 percent increase in fourth-quarter earnings, as cost cuts and a shift to more profitable contracts helped it weather a slump in corporate spending.