The U.S. federal government will keep about $1.2 billion in payments collected to backstop money market funds even after its insurance program ends on Friday, a U.S. Treasury official said.

CHICAGO—-Zacks.com releases the latest Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks featured in this week’s analysis include D.R. Horton , Travelers , Humana , Anadarko Petroleum and Fifth Third .

Recent storms in Texas brought some long-awaited relief to the nation’s most drought-stricken state, but the brutal dry spell is far from over as it drags into its third year.

U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday after a three-day runup on concern recent gains were overextended despite the latest round of solid economic data.

It’s a good time to borrow money for a home, car or small business. A year after a global freeze in the credit markets prompted massive government intervention to prevent the financial system from collapsing, interest rates remain at historic lows.

As days tick off the calendar, the life span of the much-ballyhooed tax credit for first-time homebuyers is drawing to an end — unless Congress decides to extend it.

GOOD NEWS: Housing construction rose in August, while fewer laid-off workers sought jobless aid last week, more evidence that the recession is over.

NEW YORK—-In the course of routine surveillance, Fitch Ratings affirms Renton , Washington’s approximately $40.3 million limited general obligation bonds at ‘AA- ‘. The Rating Outlook is Stable.

Oil prices edged lower on new government data that indicated a slow economic recovery. That would mean less demand for energy in the near term and potentially low-priced gasoline and heating gas for some time.