Cheap finance is often a better tool for carmakers than a straight rebate on the purchase cost would be, because it helps maintain both the prices of new cars and residual values.

ECONOMIST: The car industry

This Sunday, Chinese authorities released its purchase managers index survey showing the fourth straight month of gains.

FORBES: How Weak Is China?

In December, aiming to lure more consumers to its MSN Mobile service--a portal that connects cellphone users to MSN Search, news, Hotmail and instant messaging--Microsoft struck partnerships with MovieTickets.com and Thumbplay The deals enabled MSN Mobile users to access movie listings and reviews, and purchase movie tickets, ringtones and games straight from their cellphones.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Straight-laced Michael Powell told me of his recent Corvette purchase, a beautiful silver job.

FORBES: Zoom Zoom Zoom

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average slipped 0.1% for a sixth straight loss after the Bank of Japan left unchanged its key interest rate and the size of its asset-purchase program.

WSJ: Stocks' Drop Is 2012 Worst