TIME.com Top Business Stories

Is This the End of the Line For Saab?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Faced with the sudden collapse of its plan to sell Saab to Sweden's Koenigsegg Group AB, a disappointed GM must now confront the possibility of shutting Saab down

Holiday Shopping: Will Big Markdowns Return?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

A showdown is looming between retailers and bargain-hunting shoppers over who will blink first at the cash register this holiday season

Will Private Equity Be the Next Financial Meltdown?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Private-equity firms, such as Blackstone, KKR and Carlyle, have bought thousands of companies over the past decade using mostly debt. In a new book, author Josh Kosman argues that these leveraged acquisitions will produce the next financial meltdown

The Air France A380 Superjumbo Aircraft Takes Off

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Air France inaugurates its A380 service to JFK, complete with six bars, an onboard art gallery and in-flight live music. But has the economic crisis made the Airbus superjumbo a white elephant?

Brunch Is Back, Thanks to Low Prices and Endless Booze

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

With all-you-can-eat and sometimes all-you-can-drink specials, more Americans are heading to restaurants for this mid-morning meal

A Brief History of U.S. Unemployment Rates

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

With employment in double digits and a full recovery a way off, lawmakers are looking for ways to boost employment. It was easier in the early U.S.

Japan's Latest Economic Ailment: Deflation

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Even as the country shows signs of recovery, policymakers now must contend with a potentially devastating bout of falling prices

A New Indian Travel Fad: "Divorce Tourism"

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

A few Indian tour operators are cashing in on Indian's rising divorce rate with a new offer: The perfect holiday -- just you, your spouse, and a relationship counselor

Electric-Vehicle Surge: Where Will Cars Plug In?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Electric cars will soon swarm onto America's roads, but the charging infrastructure for those vehicles is still on the drawing boards

Small Business, Key to Recovery, Is Still Hurting

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Despite the government's stimulus, small businesses are still in recession. Economists worry that unless they start hiring, the economic recovery could stall

Supreme Court Ponders: When Do Ideas Deserve Patents?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Somewhere between horse-training tricks and Amazon's 1-Click ordering lies the answer the Supreme Court is seeking. To wit, when is a good idea worth a patent?

U.S.-China Trade: Prepare for Continued Imbalance

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Can America's trade imbalance with China shrink the way Japan's surplus did? Short answer: no

Build America Bonds: An Economic-Stimulus Success

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

The Build America Bonds program has buoyed the municipal market and eased the financing burden for state and local governments. Now the big question is: What will it cost taxpayers?

Holiday Shopping: Will Spouses Spend Less on Each Other?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

According to a consumer survey, spousal spending will fall sharply this holiday season. How the retailers are responding

British Airways and Iberia Merge, But Can They Lift Off?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

The struggling British and Spanish carriers have joined forces to create Europe's third-largest airline. They still have a lot of obstacles to overcome before becoming profitable

Will the Housing Agency Need a Bailout?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

The Federal Housing Administration backs nearly a third of all new mortgages. But its cash is dwindling, and its losses are mounting fast. Is another bailout in the cards?

Black Friday Shopping: Discounting but No Panic

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

As Black Friday draws closer, retailers are lean but shoppers remain tight-fisted. There will be price wars, but not the panic discounting of last year

Brown's Tobin Tax Idea to Levy Financial Transactions

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

British leader Gordon Brown has suggested the G-20 countries place a tax on foreign-exchange transactions to generate revenue, but he's finding little support for the idea

Health Care: Why Small Business Is Opposing Reform Bills

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

When it comes to finding quality, affordable health insurance, few have it worse than small-business owners and their workers shopping for coverage on the open market

Fannie Mae's 'Deed for Lease': Solution to Foreclosures?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Fannie Mae's new "deed for lease" program may not be the way banks want to address defaulting homeowners, but it may be the best solution there is

Bear Stearns Trial: Verdict a Blow to E-Mail Prosecution

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

The acquittal of two Wall Street hedge-fund managers this week sends a message to prosecutors that e-mailed statements alone will not be enough to convince a jury of wrongdoing

'Scroogenomics' Author on Why Christmas Gifts Are Bad

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Scroogenomics author Joel Waldfogel explains to TIME why holiday gift-giving is bad economic policy

Stock-Market Rally Isn't Over, Says Wells Fargo's Hartman

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Stocks, commodities and bonds have all had big runs. Can the broad multimarket rally continue or will some fall prey to investor fears? To find out, TIME spoke with veteran money manager Kirk Hartman

Joe Cada, Poker World Series Winner, Is Youngest Champ

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Joe Cada, 21, beat out 6,494 competitors -- including a Wall Street ace -- to win the 2009 World Series of Poker

Cadbury Rejects Kraft's Hostile Bid: What Happens Next?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Weeks after turning down Kraft's first offer for its business, Cadbury angrily cast off a second proposal, which it deemed insulting. Absent a sweetener, Kraft may be in for a stiff fight