BP hikes dividend after strong fourth quarter (AP)

AP - BP PLC has raised its quarterly dividend by 14 percent after posting double-digit gains in profit and revenue in the last three months of 2011 despite further big payments to compensate for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

More US states to join foreclosure-abuse deal (AP)

AP - Arizona, Michigan and Florida, three of the states hit hardest by the housing crisis, will join a nationwide settlement over foreclosure abuses, officials with direct knowledge say. They will join more than 40 other states in approving a deal that would benefit many Americans who lost their homes or can't afford their mortgages.

Wall St edges up in quiet day; Disney down late (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks rose slightly on Tuesday, but with the outcome of discussions on a bailout package for Greece uncertain, investors are unlikely to make big bets in coming days.

Yahoo chairman exits, review drags on (Reuters)

Reuters - Yahoo Inc Chairman Roy Bostock and three other directors will step down as the struggling company ploughs ahead with an internal overhaul, including discussions on dealing with its stakes in China's Alibaba Group and Yahoo Japan.

Payroll tax cut talks adrift on Capitol Hill (AP)

AP - The prospects for an extension of President Barack Obama's signature payroll tax cut, once considered a slam dunk on Capitol Hill, now seem far less certain as House-Senate talks have deadlocked over finding ways to pay for it.

Greek debt talks drag on, banks signal progress (AP)

AP - Greece's private creditors signaled progress late Tuesday in a bond-swap deal but crucial debt negotiations over another round of austerity measures dragged into another day.

Greek parties delay bailout talks despite EU threats (Reuters)

Reuters - Greek political parties delayed yet again on Tuesday making the tough choice of accepting painful reforms in return for a new international bailout to avoid a chaotic default, seemingly deaf to EU warnings that the euro zone can live without Athens.

Oil prices climb as Iran threatens EU supply cut (AP)

AP - Oil prices climbed above $98 per barrel Tuesday after Iran again threatened to cut off supplies to Europe. Here's how energy prices traded.

Spanish banks set aside billions for toxic assets (AP)

AP - Spain's three top banks said Tuesday they will set aside an additional euro6.1 billion ($8 billion) to meet a new government demand for all banks to boost their buffers against troubled real estate assets.

SEC weighs two money market fund proposals (Reuters)

Reuters - The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission is eyeing two potential plans to bolster the stability of money market funds, but their fate remains uncertain due to internal disagreement at the SEC over the need for more regulations.

Analysis: Banks largely reserved for U.S. mortgage pact cost (Reuters)

Reuters - As the nation's five largest mortgage lenders edge close to a $25 billion settlement over foreclosure abuses, it's becoming clear that the deal will have little or no impact on their future bottom lines.

Glencore-Xstrata deal meets shareholder opposition (Reuters)

Reuters - At least two top 10 shareholders in miner Xstrata plan to vote against a takeover by commodities trader Glencore, threatening the creation of a powerhouse spanning mining, agriculture and trading.

U.S. Companies 'Yammer' for a Productivity Revolution (ContributorNetwork)

ContributorNetwork - SAN FRANCISCO -- In a pleasant surprise, the Department of Labor has reported an another increase in total nonfarm employment. The U.S. added 243,000 jobs in January, ticking the unemployment rate to 8.3 percent.

Toyota lifts profit forecast as disaster woes fade (AP)

AP - Toyota's quarterly profit slid 13.5 percent on production setbacks caused by last year's tsunami disaster and the flooding in Thailand, but Japan's top automaker raised its annual earnings forecast, saying a recovery is on track.

Walmart names ex-Woolworths veteran as new China CEO (Reuters)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc has named an industry veteran, but a relative newcomer to China, to run what is a strategically crucial business for the world's biggest retailer as it faces tougher competition in the fastest growing major economy.

Merger fails, but D.Boerse CEO says allies a must (Reuters)

Reuters - D.Boerse CEO eyes new allies as NYSE deal crumbles Deutsche Boerse (DB1Gn.DE) does not believe it can survive in the long term without a new partner despite the collapse of its proposed $7.4 billion merger with NYSE Euronext , its chief executive told a German newspaper.