President Barack Obama said Monday the nation’s economy is in good shape for the long term thanks to “core strengths” such as its universities, its innovation and a dynamic workforce.

More taxpayer bailouts or increase markets’ regulatory uncertainty? That may be the trade-off from legislation dealing with financials deemed…

CHICAGO—-Fitch Ratings assigns an ‘A+’ rating to the Chicago Board of Education, Illinois’ $254,240,000 unlimited tax general obligation bonds , series 2009G . The bonds are scheduled for negotiated sale on or about Dec. 2, 2009.

National economic activity falls

Japanese shares fell to a fresh four-month low Tuesday, bucking overnight gains on Wall Street amid growing pessimism over a recovery in the world’s second-largest economy.

The dollar recouped some of its overnight losses on Tuesday, while Asian shares slipped as investors shrugged off upbeat U.S. home sale data and took light profits on recent rallies.

The dollar stabilized in early trade on Tuesday after losing ground in New York, while Asian shares slipped as investors shrugged off upbeat U.S. home sale data and took a breather after recent gains.

Shares in British chocolate maker Cadbury PLC hit their highest level in at least five years Monday on reports that another rival, Switzerland’s Nestle SA, may make a takeover bid.

First-time buyers taking advantage of a special tax credit gave sales of existing homes their biggest surge in a decade, raising hopes for a turnaround in the housing market and pleasing Wall Street.

The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange: NYSE: