- According to Reuters, Goldman Sachs (GS) will buy $1.5 billlion in assets from ABN.

- Reuters reports that Yahoo! (YHOO) has added new board members to complete a deal with Icahn.

- Reuters writes that the Japanese economy shrank in the last quarter, adding to concerns about recession.

- The Wall Street Journal reports that a price in the price of cotton has worried some that the market may be manipulated.

- The Wall Street Journal writes that banks are getting rid of foreclosed homes at a record rate which could damage their earnings further.

- The Wall Street Journal reports that the US trade gap narrowed on strong exports.

- The Wall Street Journal reports that financial stocks being protected from "shorts" fell anyway.

- The New York Times report that until securitization revives the price of consumer loans will keep rising.

- The New York Times reports that the corn crop in the US will hit near-record levels.

- The New York Times reports that the market for SUVs is starting to look like the housing market.

- The New York Times writes that two out of three US companies paid no corporate income tax between from 1998 to 2005.

- The FT reports that banks remain exposed to earnings problems despite sales of toxic debt.

- Bloomberg writes that a rally in share of Bank of America (BAC) and brokers is likely to end with the expiration of short selling restrictions.