NEW YORK - February 10, 2012 - Stocks added to losses Friday, on track to logging their worst session this year, after stalled debt negotiations in Greece, some disappointing economic news, and reports that S&P downgraded a handful of Italian banks.

NEW YORK (PNN) - February 9, 2012 - The $25 billion settlement with banks over foreclosure abuses may result in a wave of home seizures, inflicting short-term pain on borrowers while making a long-term housing recovery more likely.

Shipping costs have plunged to Depression lows.

NEW YORK - February 7, 2012 - We've been following recent plunges in the Baltic Dry Index - a measure of commodity shipping costs - because it's near its lowest value since August 1986.

Today Bloomberg reports that vessel operators have actually begun to transport goods for free and even cover some of clients' fuel costs on infrequently traveled routes, in particular on "backhaul" trips that move a boat from the Pacific to the more highly trafficked Atlantic.

By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

LONDON, England - February 6, 2012 - Shanghai shipping volumes contracted sharply in January as Europe's debt crisis curbed demand for Asian goods, stoking fresh doubts about the strength of the Chinese economy.

NEW YORK - February 6, 2012 - Get ready for another round of pain at the pump: $4 (or higher) gasoline.

After rising 19 cents a gallon in the past four weeks, regular unleaded gasoline now averages $3.48 a gallon vs. $3.12 a year ago and $2.67 in February 2010.

Prices could spike another 60 cents or more by May.

LONDON, England - February 5, 2012 - The Greek prime minister has failed to secure a bondholder agreement despite appealing for help from the bosses of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB) to help break the dangerous deadlock.

ATHENS, Greece - February 5, 2012 - Lucas Papademos, the Greek premier, failed to make party leaders accept harsh terms in return for a second 130 billion euro bailout, pushing Athens closer to a disorderly default as early as next month.

Greek television reported that Papademos has set a deadline of midday on Monday for the three leaders to let him know whether they agree in principle with the proposed austerity measures, before he meets them again later in the day.