The U.S. began another semiconductor probe.

The Commerce Department said it began investigating a complaint that accused eight Japanese companies of illegally selling computer memory chips in the United States below their manufacturing cost. The investigation is in response to a complaint filed last month by three leading U.S. chip makers. The Commerce Department must now reach a preliminary judgment in the case by March 10. Also, the International Trade Commission must issue its own preliminary ruling by Nov. 14 of this year on whether U.S. manufacturers are suffering harm.