BOE Cuts Rates to 1.5%

Banks, Miners Fall in Europe

European stocks ended down, but off earlier lows. Mineral extractors and banks bore brunt of the losses, with London's FTSE falling 0.1%.

RBS Mulls BOC Stake Sale

Royal Bank of Scotland said it is considering selling its 4.3% stake in Bank of China.

OECD: Cleanse Banks of Bad Loans

The failure of the U.S. and European governments to remove bad loans from banks before they are recapitalized may prolong the financial crisis, the OECD said.

Sainsbury's Sees Best-Ever Christmas

U.K. supermarket chain J Sainsbury reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter sales, underpinned by its best-ever Christmas results.

Alitalia, Air France Close
To Finalizing Deal

Alitalia looked set to clinch a long-awaited deal to sell a stake to Air France, giving the former ailing state-controlled carrier the large international partner it needs to complete its turnaround.

Data Retrieved From Airbus Crash

Investigators trying to determine why an Airbus A320 crashed into the Mediterranean in November have retrieved data from the plane's voice and data recorders, while a criminal investigation continues.

Audi Defies Industry Gloom

Audi posted its 13th consecutive year of record sales, even as auto makers around the globe are slashing production as demand for new cars in most major markets remains woeful.

Dell to Slash Irish Work Force, Shift to Poland

Dell will slash its Irish work force by 1,900 jobs and shift its European manufacturing operations to Poland in a move certain to undermine Ireland's economy.

UBP Takes U.S. Hedge Funds to Task

A Swiss bank facing hefty losses in the alleged Ponzi scheme run by Madoff is threatening to pull several billion dollars of investments from large U.S. hedge funds.

Wyeth in Talks for Vaccine Firm

Merckle Family to Sell Ratiopharm

Germany May Back Some Loans