Barr Laboratories, a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Barr Pharmaceuticals, is the largest private employer in Bedford County, with more than 500 workers at its Forest site. 

The nation’s biggest banking company by assets lost the equivalent of 54 cents per share in the April-June period. In the same timeframe last year, the bank earned $6.23 billion, or $1.24 per share

Management said economic turmoil in the United States and parts of Europe appears to be causing consumers to click less frequently on the ads that generate virtually all its profits

FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, a Democrat, wants the companies to cap prices for six years and make one-quarter of their satellite capacity available for public interest and minority programming, among other conditions

Capital One Financial says its second-quarter earnings fell 40 percent as the bank sharply increased its bad debt reserves amid further deterioration in the credit markets.

The Fed opened its emergency program to investment firms on March 17.

CEO Jamie Dimon says losses from prime mortgages were on the rise and may soar in the coming quarters

Marshall N. Morton, the company’s president and chief executive officer, blamed the results on a weakening economy and a continued challenging business environment in the publishing division.

Last call? Will takeover force Bud to scale back sports ads?

Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who leads the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said the combination of the only two providers of satellite radio demands “extraordinary conditions” to protect the public’s interest.

The buying spree by Cleveland-Cliffs continued Wednesday with a nearly $10 billion acquisition of Alpha Natural Resources, broadening the one-time Midwest company’s international reach as well as its exposure to a global steel industry clamoring to fuel its mills.

Worried about rising inflation, Federal Reserve officials at their meeting in June thought the Fed’s next move on interest rates was likely to be up.

The investigation is focused on the company - which was taken over last Friday by the FDIC - and not individuals who ran it, according to a law enforcement official

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke made his remarks as he appeared before the House Financial Services Committee

The strength came from the end to an automotive production strike rather than any underlying boost to the economy

Arcelor, the world’s largest steel producer, recently upped its stake in Australia’s Macarthur Coal and snapped up Mid Vol Coal Group, which has mines in West Virginia and Virginia

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Tuesday that the fragile economy is being confronted by “numerous difficulties” including persistent strains in financial markets, rising joblessness and housing problems, despite aggressive interest rate reductions and other fortifying steps over the past year.

GM said the moves will raise $15 billion to help cover losses and turn around its North American operations

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP Economics Writer

Business inventories rose at a slower-than-expected pace in May, a possible indication that the weakening economy is making companies cautious on their restocking plans.

Microsoft Corp. threw its weight behind investor Carl Icahn’s effort to oust Yahoo Inc.’s board next month, saying Monday that a successful rebellion would encourage the software maker to renew its takeover bid for Yahoo or negotiate another deal.

James River Coal Co. is acquiring nearly 20 million tons of central Appalachian coal reserves from Cheyenne Resources Inc.

Investor Mark J. Wattles expects an announcement from one of the three companies to be made within a month.

Sales fell 7.4 percent in the quarter that ended May 31. The Henrico County-based retailer also said it has suspended future dividend payments. 

About 300 shareholders attended the annual meeting of cigarette maker Philip Morris USA’s parent company this morning at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.  It was the company’s first annual meeting in Richmond since 2003.

Moore & Giles, based in Forest, works with about 15 tanneries in Europe, Asia and other locations to develop long-lasting leather full of natural beauty

Elmseed Enterprise Program provides small loans and intensive technical support primarily to low income and other disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

The damage still is being assessed — it could be June before growers know the full extent — but most expect smaller-than-average harvests this year.

The Fed move was in line with expectations. Wall Street believes this could well wrap up the Fed’s rate cuts unless the economy threatens to fall into a worse slump than currently expected.  The Fed said it stood ready to “act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and stability.” That phrase was seen as a signal that the Fed is as worried about weak growth as it is about the risk of higher inflation.

The merger of Mars, maker of M&Ms, Snickers bars and other candy, and Wrigley, which produces such gums as Extra, Eclipse, and Orbit, could force other snack companies to merge to compete with the new confectionary giant.