StellarOne Corp. has completed a merger of equals between Virginia Financial Group Inc. and FNB Corp.  The combined companies adopted the StellarOne name, and the new company began trading yesterday on the Nasdaq market under the symbol STEL.

Disgruntled investor Mark Wattles, who owns 6.5 percent of the chain, submitted a proposal that each board member besides the five nominated by the firm should be removed, according to a statement distributed this morning.

Regulators and aircraft manufacturers are not keeping adequate tabs on the quality of plane parts made domestically and abroad, potentially raising risks for fliers, government investigators said in a report released Friday.

The Federal Reserve announced Friday that it will auction another $60 billion in March as it continues to combat the effects of a severe credit crisis. It repeated a pledge to keep holding the auctions “for as long as necessary.“

General Motors Corp. says it will temporarily shut down three more pickup truck factories due to a strike at a key parts supplier

Crude prices extended their march into record high territory Thursday, shooting up more than $2 a barrel as a falling dollar and the prospect of lower interest rates attracted more investors to the oil market. Retail gas prices, meanwhile, rose closer to records above $3 a gallon.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is proving to be a quick study in navigating a treacherous housing slump and credit crisis that could push the economy into a recession. He also seems to be learning fast on an equally perilous course - avoiding political land mines in Washington.

High energy prices and rising inflation do complicate the Fed’s job of trying to keep the economy growing and inflation contained, Ben Bernanke acknowledged.

While he said that while the housing problem remains the biggest downside risk to the economy, the issue needed to be put in perspective. Paulson said that 93 percent of all mortgages are being paid on time and that less than 2 percent are in foreclosure.

Virginia pork producer Smithfield Foods said today that third-quarter profits fell about 10 percent on lower live hog prices and a higher tax rate, but results beat expectations handily.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications for unemployment benefits rose by 19,000 to 373,000 last week. The increase was larger than many economists were expecting.

The Virginia based company says much of the loss came from writing down most of the remaining value of its 2005 purchase of Nextel Communications.

The 15-nation euro bought $1.5150 in early European trading - up from $1.5120 in New York the previous night and above a record $1.5143 reached earlier Wednesday.  The euro gave up a little ground and was trading at $1.5122, still above Wednesday’s close.

The economy skidded to a near halt in the final quarter of last year, clobbered by dual slumps in housing and credit that caused people and businesses to spend and invest more sparingly.

Stocks rallied after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled a willingness to lower interest rates further.  But the market settled narrowly mixed.

Dodge & Cox Global Stock fund will follow the firm’s valueand team-oriented strategy to pick stocks from around the world. It will invest in midto large-sized companies from at least three different countries and will keep at least 40 percent of its assets in non-U.S. stocks

In more bad news for the beleaguered housing industry, sales of new homes fell in January for a third straight month, pushing activity down to the slowest pace in nearly 13 years.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sent a fresh signal Wednesday that the central bank will again lower interest rates to steady the teetering economy.

The market found some traction when IBM announced a 15 billion dollar stock buyback.

Richmond-based Media General says it’s urging shareholders not to sign proxy cards sent by Harbinger because it says that’s not in the company’s best interest. The proxy statement comes ahead of its annual meeting April 24th

If Congress passes legislation to roll back nearly $18 billion in tax breaks for large oil companies, advisers to President Bush will recommend a veto, the White House said Tuesday.

It’s worrisome math: Slowing economic growth plus soaring prices could eventually equal “stagflation.“  That’s a toxic economic brew the nation hasn’t tasted in three decades.

The new reports Tuesday documented the latest in a series of blows to the economy as a prolonged housing downturn has pushed the country close to a recession.

Consol Energy says that full production is expected to resume in mid-to-late March.  That is even though repairs to a 5,000-ton underground coal storage bunker have not been completed in the mine near Mavisdale, Virginia.

The Brink’s Co. said Monday it will spin off its namesake home security unit, following months of pressure from shareholders, and expand its board to accommodate the nominees of a shareholder firm

Visa Inc. said Monday its initial public offering could raise up to $19 billion - making it the largest in U.S. history - even though the credit card processor is entering the market at a difficult time

Investors were encouraged by a report suggesting that a bailout plan for troubled bond insurer Ambac Financial could be announced next week

Royal Chevrolet has hired Martin’s service manager and several technicians, and hopes to hire all of the dealership’s sales representatives as well

With no major economic reports due during the session, Wall Street will look to next week for more clues about the economy - including reports on existing home sales and durable goods.

A Lynchburg hotel owner revealed plans Thursday night for a four-story, 85-room Hampton Inn on Burks Hill Road in the City of Bedford