Archive for February 25th, 2010
Doctors threaten Medicare backlash
With a 21% cut to Medicare reimbursement rates set to take effect Monday, the nation’s largest physician organization has informed its members about their options — which include shutting off practices to new Medicare patients.
Stocks fight back from big losses
Stocks ended with modest losses Thursday, fighting off a bigger decline that surrounded the latest worries about Greece’s debt crisis and weaker-than-expected reports on the economy.
5 new tax breaks you don’t want to miss
Tax season is upon us. And while nobody likes shelling out their hard-earned dollars to the IRS, this year the government is offering up some new opportunities that could save you big money. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus bill, Congress introduced several new tax goodies that could help millions of Americans save — as long as they know to claim them.
Treasurys gain on flight to safety
Treasurys rose Thursday as investors flocked to the safety of U.S. debt following a dour report on the job market and worries about Greece’s fiscal problems.
Madoff’s daughter-in-law wants her name changed
A Madoff in-law has filed for a name change, hoping to rid herself of the notorious moniker that has become synonymous with swindle.
Madoff hunter: ‘He’s the lowest form of scum’
Harry Markopolos spent nine years fruitlessly trying to convince the Securities & Exchange Commission that Bernard Madoff’s investment operation was a scam.
The man who hunted Madoff
James Bandler caught up with Harry Markopolos in Boston recently to discuss his upcoming book, No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller, and how he’s doing with his life as an agent for whistleblowers. Edited excerpts from the extended interview:
Dollar rises against euro on Greece debt woes
The dollar was mostly higher Thursday as fears about Greece’s debt crisis resurfaced, prompting investors to cut their exposure to the higher-yield currencies.
Oil slides on negative jobs report
Oil retreated Thursday as stocks tumbled following a disappointing employment report and amid renewed concerns about economies abroad.
Regulators ease up on small business loans
It’s a chicken-and-egg problem that’s plagued the credit markets for a year: Small businesses become riskier lending bets in a downturn, prompting banks to slash their lending. But tight credit cuts off the financing companies need to hire and grow, which in turn drags on the economy and causes more businesses to fail.
