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Paul Vigna discusses the worse-than-expected ADP jobs report and how it will impact markets the morning after President Obama promised to focus on the economy.

Mark Hulbert discusses why September is typically is a bad month for stocks, and why this month will likely follow the pattern.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Sinan Al-Shabibi, tells the Wall Street Journal's Jon Hilsenrath, how Iraq managed to control inflation and what lies ahead for the rebuilding country's economy.

The former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, Raghuram Rajan, tells MarketWatch's Greg Robb the Federal Reserve can't be expected to be a Superman in times of economic trouble.

Sudeep Reddy and Neal Lipschutz break down comments today by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the U.S. economy and look at what's left in the Fed's arsenal. Plus, Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Sues Google and others over patents.

The financial reform act included a new orderly liquidation authority for failing financial firms deemed systemically important. Will it fix too-big-to-fail? It's a start, Randall Guynn, head of financial services at Davis Polk, tells Lisa Lee.

Cash piles on the books of both strategics and private equity funds is driving M&A, says BB&T Investment Banking head Bill Tyson. Middle-market companies in particular see a chance to buy growth cheaply, he tells DJIB's Gregory Millman.

The underwear maker's CEO Richard Noll explains his company's recent $225 million deal for outerwear maker Gear For Sports-Hanesbrands' first acquisition-and how he measures the payoff from add-ons against the alternative of paying down debt.

The lack of action to halt the yen's rise is boosting long positions. This means that if Tokyo springs a surprise policy change, the yen will fall even more.

Global merger activity is at its highest levels since late 2009, presenting a glimmer of economic confidence even as the stock and bond markets continue to to price in a weakening U.S. economy. Anupreeta Das and Dennis Berman discuss. Also, Dan Michaels discusses the race among 21 American museums to land one of the three space shuttles that will soon enter retirement.

Currency intervention is not as easy as it used to be. Japan might have to try something else if it decides to rein in the mighty yen.

Though convertible bond issuances are down this year, returns are solid and demand remains strong. There are also new buyers, Prasanth Burri Rao-Kathi, head of Americas Equity-Linked Capital Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, tells Lisa Lee.

A move to give UK government ministers back control over planning permission for major energy projects, replacing the independent Infrastructure Planning Commission, may threaten investment in the sector, industry leaders say.

The bank plans to pay $298 million to settle claims by U.S. prosecutors that it altered financial records for more than a decade to hide hundreds of millions of dollars that flowed to the U.S. from nations like Cuba, Libya and Iran. Michael Rothfeld discusses. Also, Jerry Seib discusses why isolationism, protectionism and anti-immigration sentiment is growing as the economy slumps.

Job creation is one of the top issues among voters. In districts with high unemployment, that could spell trouble for a host of Democrats in tight congressional races. WSJ's Neil Hickey reports.

The federal judge who overturned California's gay-marriage ban will allow same-sex weddings to resume on Aug. 18 unless a higher court steps in. Ashby Jones discusses. Also, Phil Izzo and Standard & Poor's David Wyss discuss the Wall Street Journal's latest economic survey, which shows renewed pessimism about the strength of the recovery.

Capital columnist David Wessel surveys the landscape over the next 40 years and makes some predictions about what the world's economies will look like.

Stocks, commodities and riskier currencies fell on worry over the flagging U.S. recovery and slowing growth in China. All three major U.S. indexes turned negative for the year. Dennis Berman and Michael Casey discuss. Also, Robert Lee Hotz discusses the discovery in Ethiopia of what researchers consider the earliest known traces of stone-tool use, possibly pushing back the advent of technology about 800,000 years.

The two companies released a proposal stating that broadband providers shouldn't be able to discriminate against Internet content providers. But the plan provides benefits to both companies. Marcelo Prince and Amy Schatz discuss. Also, Dennis Berman discusses why bond investors are giving up on recovery and jobs as investment-grade yields fall to some of the lowest levels ever.

In the wake of Friday's disappointing jobs report, Neal Lipschutz and Phil Izzo discuss new predictions that it could be many years before the nation's unemployment rate reaches pre-recession levels. Plus, test-driving the new Porsche Hybrid SUV.

The U.S. economy lost 131,000 jobs in July, with the private sector adding only 71,000 to its payrolls. The unemployment rate held steady at 9.5%. David Reilly, Bob O'Brien, Phil Izzo and Sudeep Reddy discuss the impact of the numbers and how the Federal Reserve is likely to react.

Jared Bernstein, chief economic adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden, talks to MarketWatch about when private-sector hiring will pick up and the case for extending unemployment benefits.

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner spoke about financial reforms in New York City.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speaks about state and federal deficits before the Southern Legislative Conference.

David Wessel discusses the politics and economics behind the debate over extending some or all of the Bush tax cuts.

A federal judge blocked key sections of Arizona's tough new immigration law, granting the Obama administration's request for an injunction. Laura Meckler discusses. Also, Sarah Nassauer discusses why reality TV shows are being lured by vacation destinations in an effort to generate buzz among travelers.

As investors awaited earnings from Microsoft and Amazon, markets rallied on better-than-expected economic data and strong earnings reports from earlier in the day. Paul Vigna discusses.

One day after the U.S. Senate passed an extension of unemployment benefits the Labor Department releases its weekly jobless report and it's not encouraging. Video courtesy of Fox News.

Charles Forelle and Paul Vigna discuss the euro's recent rally, which many say reflects worries about the U.S. economy.

In congressional testimony, Bernanke signaled that no moves were imminent to bolster the recovery despite a "somewhat weaker outlook" for the economy. Michael Casey, Dennis Berman and David Wessel discuss. Also, Kelli Grant of SmartMoney.com discusses a slew of new Web sites that help you borrow what you need in today's tough economic times.