Fishermen rally against federal catch limits

WASHINGTON - Fishermen and charter boat captains from Maine to Louisiana rallied outside the Capitol Wednesday to demand changes to federal fishing limits they say are putting them out of business.

Participants in the "United We Fish" rally want to loosen federal catch restrictions imposed to protect vulnerable fish stocks.

2010: Year of the dividend and overall economic growth

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Say goodbye to long-term bonds in 2010. Say hello to investing in dividend-paying growth stocks and companies with a technological, pharmaceutical and global reach.

That's the main message from financial experts at a time when the economy is emerging from the worst economic time since the Great Depression.

U.S. homebuyers rushing to get tax credit before it's all gone

PHILADELPHIA - Liv Mansfield is racing the clock, hoping to find and settle, or at least sign a purchase agreement, on a townhouse before the $6,500 tax credit for qualified repeat home buyers expires April 30.

Homeowners rent out rooms to stave off foreclosure

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Reeling from the recession's one-two-three-punch of job woes, climbing mortgage payments and evaporating equity, desperate homeowners are dipping into a nearby income stream to avoid foreclosure:

That bedroom just down the hall.

Five tips to help get your fund portfolio back in balance

BOSTON - Don't fret too much if you never got around to rebalancing your mutual fund portfolio. Procrastination may have turned out to be a decent course of inaction in '09.

Retail sales up slightly in January

WASHINGTON - Retail sales posted a better-than-expected increase in January, a welcome development that could mean stronger economic growth in coming months.

The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales increased by 0.5 percent last month, the best showing since November and better than the 0.3 percent increase economists had expected.

Report: Toyota to recall 300,000 Priuses

TOKYO - Toyota is close to recalling as many as 300,000 of its popular Prius hybrids over brake problems, according to Japanese media - a decision that would further embarrass a trusted brand suddenly beset by safety problems.