• Australia shares slip, as Macquarie warning weighs
• Google says China sites now fully accessible
• Samsung Electronics reports record profit for Q2
• Euro rises | Gold bugs swatted
JAPANESE ECONOMY & MARKETS
Mixed news in data
A series of Japanese data contain good and bad news, with worse unemployment and industrial output than expected, but surprisingly strong household spending, and deflation roughly in line with forecasts.
• Japan earnings: Sony | Panasonic | Nissan
• Toyota recalls 412,000 cars for faulty steering
• Toyota's Teflon starting to wear thin (First Take)
U.S. ECONOMY
GDP data to offer double-dip clues
The government will release data Friday that will shed light on whether the economy is on a path for sustainable growth, or may be in danger of slumping into a double-dip recession.
• Better news on jobs front from Labor Dept.
• Part 1 of recovery is over; Part 2 on hold
• Bullard says U.S. close to Japan-style deflation
U.S. MARKETS
Economic worries weigh
Investors hesitate to take a decisive stance before the government releases its first take on U.S. second-quarter economic growth.
• After Hours: Coinstar, Wynn slip; Google under pressure
• Stocks for Friday | Money Markets And More: Friday
• A portfolio for all market moods: Hulbert
• What to believe: bonds or equities?
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at an electronics show event earlier this year.TECHNOLOGY
Tablets atop Ballmer's mind
Microsoft CEO says that Apple sold more iPads than he'd like and stresses that tablets with his company's software are "one of the top issues on my mind."
• Microsoft executive touts wins over Google
• Microsoft moving at snail's pace on tablets (First Take)
• DOJ alleges Oracle fraud
• Court rejects class-action status in Intel case
Three industry giants will begin reporting results next week; all are expected to post sales declines.
TECHNOLOGY: MULTIMEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
• Rex on Tech: Akamai is still riding high
• Jailbreaking the iPhone
• Yahoo Japan to partner with Google
• Full menu of MarketWatch podcasts
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Japan's Topix falls 0.5% to 857.3 in early moves
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Japan industrial production falls 1.5% in June
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Japan June consumer prices -1% vs estimated -1.1%
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U.S. Politics »
Reuters
If Carly Fiorina (left) wins, the Golden State would be represented by one of the most controversial Silicon Valley leaders in recent years.
• Carly Fiorina touts record at H-P
Commentary »
- Next: Jon Friedman's Media Web
- Next: Therese Poletti's Tech Tales
- Next: Peter Brimelow
- Next: Robert Powell's Your Portfolio
- Next: Jennifer Waters' Consumer Confidential
- Next: Kathleen Madigan
- Next: Todd Harrison
- Next: Darrell Delamaide's Political Capital
- Next: William Watts' Forex Files
- Next: Jennifer Openshaw
- Next: Paul B. Farrell
- Next: Brett Arends' ROI
Inside MarketWatch »
consumer electronics
Amazon debuts a cheaper Wi-Fi Kindle
New redesigned version of the
e-reader comes amid fierce competition in the market.
• Is the new Kindle worth the price? (Minyanville)
Big deal for Panasonic
The company offers $9.4 billion to buy out two of
its subsidiaries and swings to a profit.
A bleaker picture for gaming
Three of the largest videogame publishers begin reporting results next week — and all three are expected to check in with declining quarterly sales.
financials
Citigroup settles with SEC
The bank will pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit related to disclosure of subprime exposure.
• Pru, MetLife death benefits under scrutiny
• Tighter rules on U.K. bank bonuses
• There'll be no more swearing at Goldman
BIOTECH
Sanofi to snap up Genzyme?
Rumors that Genzyme could soon be acquired by Sanofi-Aventis have boosted the biotech’s shares, but will a deal go through, and at what price?
AUTOS
More recalls
at Toyota
Faulty steering shafts in some Avalons (left) has led to accidents. Some Lexus LX 470 models are recalled as well.
• Toyota's Teflon wears thin (First Take)
In Personal Finance »
HEALTHShape up or pay up
Employees have new reason to drop donuts and quit smoking before benefits-enrollment season.
• Sitting can be dangerous to your health
CONSUMERS
What gets our dander up
With complaints to consumer agencies on the
rise, agencies have been cutting back on staff — both reflections of the economic times.
• Weather forecasts help stores fish you in
• Staycations may be costly in the long run
• Cable seeks a kinder, gentler reputation
INVESTING
Cleaning up their acts
With more information now publicly available
about brokers' records, some advice on how
they can address troubling disclosures.
• Emerging markets outperform, ETFs show
Video and Radio »
Obama on 'The View'
On ABC's daytime talk show "The View," President Barack Obama said the entire affair regarding Shirley Sharrod was a "phony controversy."
• Obama: We overreacted to Sherrod
Gates: Leaks will do damage
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Afghan leaks could cause extensive damage to the allied mission. Meanwhile, investigators have found evidence linking someone to the leaks.
From vuvuzelas to 'electro'
The latest South African craze is dance music on speed. Jeff Bush spends time with street dancers in Soweto, who are moving to new electronic tracks that push the pulsating beats to the limit.
Investor be nimble
The market has scared many investors, but the fundamentals are good, according to Liz Ann Sonders (right) of Charles Schwab. She tells MarketWatch's Andrea Coombes that long-term investors can take advantage of current volatility.
Goldman reforms: No swearing
In the wake of embarrassing profanity that came to light in recent hearings, Goldman Sachs moves to prohibit swearing in emails and other messages.
Prospects for control of House
Republicans clearly have the momentum, but Democrats have a little-noted weapon, money. Jerry Seib explains why both sides think they have a good shot of taking over the House.
Parts of Arizona law blocked
A federal judge blocked key sections of Arizona's tough new immigration law, granting the Obama administration's request for an injunction.
• Employers still face immigration crackdown
Expecting more from advisers
The financial crisis continues to change what investors want in their relationship with their financial advisers, according to findings of Merrill Lynch's Affluent Insights Quarterly report.
What does your 401(k) charge?
The Labor Department is moving ahead on rules
to help employers and workers better understand 401(k) fees. Andrea Coombes reports.
BP's Hayward headed to Siberia
Criticized BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward, will step down and take over joint venture in Russia.
• Slide show: BP's fraught quarter
• BP's ties to Lockerbie examined
Known for its music scene, Nashville is also where new health-care companies are hatched. Watch the video
Health care is now by far the largest industry in Nashville, and the city will likely become even stronger in the wake of health-care reform.
Good news, bad news
for Nashville health care
Health care is probably the fastest-growing, most recession-proof industry around, with Nashville at its heart — but it's not always a great investment.
Energy and Politics »
over energy legislation
Democrats and Republicans trade rhetoric, saying one party's too close to Big Oil while the other is looking to end the offshore-drilling moratorium.
(At left, dispersant is sprayed over the Gulf of Mexico.)
Exxon Mobil's profit surges
But investors put selling pressure on the stock after comments about the speed of the current recovery.
• Shell profit rises 15% as production increases
• More solid energy-sector earnings
Party's chances of recapturing the House of Representatives in November come in districts like Virginia's 11th. Democrat Gerry Connolly, (far left) ended 14 years of GOP rule in 2008. Republicans believe they can reclaim seat with businessman Keith Fimian (left), who lost to Connolly two years ago.
• Virginia's11th District is a tale of two economies
The new bank-reform law includes $1 billion to help jobless homeowners keep their homes, writes Amy Hoak.
• Realty Q&A: How to keep your home-equity credit line open
Retirement »
At some smaller companies, workers' retirement-plan contributions are being diverted by executives, Robert Powell writes.
• Retirement investing today | MarketWatch Guide to Retirement

























Jon Friedman
Media Web