Plans for increased spending by small businesses hit 4-year high

Gas prices are rising. The economy is still shaky. But since the recession began, there hasn’t been a higher percentage of the nation’s nearly 6 million small businesses expecting to boost their spending.

European concerns and housing data send stocks down

U.S. stocks fell from multiyear highs after disappointing housing data and concerns about a new Greek bailout plan put investors in a mood to sell the day after the Dow Jones industrial average crossed the psychologically important mark of 13,000 for the first time since 2008.

Obama wants to cut corporate tax rate to 28% as part of overhaul

President Obama wants to significantly lower the top corporate income tax rate to 28% as part of a broad overhaul that would raise an additional $250 billion from businesses over the next decade by eliminating many loopholes and other breaks, according to a senior administration official.

Health plans get mixed reviews in annual California report card

California’s annual report card on many of the state’s HMOs and other health insurance plans gave most of those rated high marks for customer satisfaction but said they need to improve treatment for lung disease, attention-deficit disorder and throat infections in children.

Construction employment below pre-recession peak in most areas

U.S. construction employment is stuck at well below pre-recession levels in all but eight of 337 metropolitan areas, according to the Association of General Contractors of America.

Disneyland to stay open 24 hours on Leap Day

Disney aficionados can get an extra dose of their favorite theme parks when Disneyland in Anaheim and the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Fla., open for 24 hours straight on Feb. 29, otherwise known as Leap Day.

Dow Jones hits 13,000 but falls back a bit at close

This post has been corrected, as indicated below.

Americans keep their new cars for almost six years

So much for the idea that Americans purchase a new car and flip it every three of four years.

Grubb & Ellis Co. assets sold in Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Venerable commercial real estate brokerage Grubb & Ellis Co. will sell its assets to the parent company of rival Newmark Knight Frank as part of a prepackaged bankruptcy, the firms said Tuesday.

Housing regulator wants Congress to shrink Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

The regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac wants to gradually shrink the seized housing finance giants and create a new market for mortgage-backed securities to help the private sector to replace them.