BofA could still put Countrywide into bankruptcy, executive says

By Karen Freifeld

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) could put its Countrywide Financial unit into bankruptcy if it fails to win court approval for an $8.5 billion settlement with mortgage investors, a bank executive said on Monday.

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S&P revises U.S. credit outlook to 'stable' from negative

By David Gaffen and Daniel Bases

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Standard & Poor's on Monday removed the near-term threat of another credit rating downgrade for the United States by revising its outlook to stable from negative, citing an improved economic and fiscal outlook.

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U.S. hiring outlook positive; global employers uncertain: report

By Madeline Will

NEW YORK (Reuters) - More employers in the United States plan to hire workers next quarter than in any period since the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a survey by Manpower Group (MAN.N), the global employment services giant.

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Asian shares hit 2013 lows; Nikkei slides as BoJ disappoints

By Chikako Mogi

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar slipped against the yen after the Bank of Japan held off from taking fresh steps to curb bond market volatility, while Asian shares sagged to a fresh 2013 low as China growth worries and continued uncertainty over the U.S. bond-buying program depressed sentiment.

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