steep decline

The steep decline in vehicle sales and rapid shift in the market to smaller cars has prompted three automakers to seek a significant increase in a government loan program.

Federal rescue plans are all the rage in Washington right now, for what seems to be everything but the dollar.

The U.S. currency is not going to get a bailout, even though its steep decline is feeding inflation and straining the economy.

Oil prices rose Friday after dropping sharply in the previous session on concerns that an increase in Chinese fuel prices would dampen oil demand in the booming Asian nation.

Crude futures had dropped nearly $5 a barrel on Thursday after China said it will raise prices for gasoline and diesel fuel 16 percent and 18 percent, respectively, beginning Friday.