honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, April 12, 2006

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Analysts face trading charges

Advertiser News Services

NEW YORK — Two Goldman Sachs employees made more than $6.7 million through insider trading by enlisting an analyst who provided information on Wall Street deals and a forklift driver who leaked copies of a market-moving magazine, authorities said yesterday.

Prosecutors called it one of the most extensive insider trading cases in decades, and it has no shortage of salacious details. The case includes allegations that the men tried to get strippers to coax stock tips from investment bankers.


WAL-MART SHOWS EMPLOYEE DATA

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has opened its books to show exactly how many women and minorities in the United States work for the world's largest employer, the first time it has released the data it files each year with the federal government.

Wal-Mart's move comes amid calls from religious investors and workers rights groups for the Bentonville, Ark.-based company to prove it is meeting verbal commitments to increase diversity and prevent discrimination.


STILL NO INTEREST ON JAPAN LOANS

TOKYO — Japan's central bank left interest rates at zero yesterday, deciding to wait on raising rates after abandoning its easy monetary policy a month ago.

The Bank of Japan's unanimous decision, coming after a two-day policy board meeting, was in line with market expectations because the bank had made clear the transition to raising interest rates would be very gradual.


GM DUMPING STAKE IN ISUZU

TOKYO — Cash-strapped General Motors Corp. is selling the shares it holds in truckmaker Isuzu to two Japanese trading companies and a bank for about $300 million to fund its turnaround in North America, the U.S. automaker said yesterday.

Disposing of the Isuzu stake marks the latest retreat for a company besieged by staggering losses, labor problems and mounting competition from Asian automakers.