WaMu is largest U.S. bank failure

Washington Mutual Inc was closed by the U.S. government in by far the largest failure of a U.S. bank, and its banking assets were sold to JPMorgan Chase & Co for $1.9

Tech industry still buoyant, Microsoft CEO says

Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said on Thursday he still sees a "certain buoyancy" among technology and telecommunications customers worldwide, despite recent U.S. economic woes. "Our industry is not immune to

European stocks open lower led by financials

European stocks fell sharply in early trade on Friday, with banks hit hard by persistent uncertainty about the U.S. government's $700 billion financial sector rescue plan and the collapse of Washington Mutual.