Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville has changed when it will pay its near-40-cent fourth-quarter dividend, moving the date to Dec. 27 from Jan. 2. Why? read more >

It's entirely possible that lawmakers and the White House will reach a deal that staves off an avalanche of tax increases and deep cuts in government programs before a Jan. 1 deadline. But to do so, they'll have to resolve deep political and fiscal disagreements. read more >