four months

Verizon Wireless says it is moving forward with plans to acquire Alltel Corp. for $28.1 billion, although the country's financial climate has worsened since the companies reached an agreement four months ago.

Boeing Co. is considering bailing out of the politically-charged bidding for a $35 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force, if it does not receive an additional four months by the Pentagon to put together a competitive offer.

Chinese stocks surged Wednesday in their biggest gain in nearly four months on speculation Beijing plans new economic stimulus measures and other policies aimed at reviving the country's languishing markets.

The top editor of The Wall Street Journal is planning to step down after less than a year on the job and four months after the paper was taken over by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., according to a person familiar with the situation.

The slowing U.S. economy and surging jet fuel prices have forced an international trade group to lower its outlook on airline profits for the second time in four months, with domestic carriers expected to take the biggest earnings hit.