Reuters - The crisis of confidence in Lehman Brothers has led to fallout throughout the financial sector -- especially for larger rival Merrill Lynch & Co Inc .

Reuters - Shares of Washington Mutual Inc whipsawed on Friday amid conflicting reports that JPMorgan Chase & Co was in talks to acquire the battered savings and loan institution.

Reuters - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York held emergency talks with officials of major Wall Street firms on Friday night as concerns grew that Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc may fail to find a willing buyer to save the ailing institution.

AFP - US retail sales fell 0.3 percent in August as a government fiscal stimulus faded, with strong automobile sales helping offset a steeper decline, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Reuters - The U.S. government should not back $25 billion or more in loans to help General Motors Corp and the other domestic auto companies, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee said on Friday.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Friday as fears about the survival of investment bank Lehman Brothers and the possibility of more mortgage-related losses at American International Group weighed on financial shares.

Reuters - Washington Mutual Inc's revelation that it plans another big write-down for soured loans but has enough capital to survive soothed some analysts and investors who were fearful that the housing crisis might cripple the largest U.S. savings and loan.

Reuters - Sales at U.S. retail stores fell for a second straight month in August as consumers facing a tough job market cut spending, but declining gasoline prices seemed to lift their spirits in September.

Reuters - JPMorgan Chase & Co is in advanced discussions to acquire Washington Mutual Inc , a source familiar with the discussions said on Friday.

Reuters - Concern that Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc may fail to find a buyer because the U.S. government is reluctant to provide financial backing sent the firm's shares down to a 14-year low on Friday.

AP - Washington Mutual Inc. said Thursday it will take another multibillion write-down for bad bets on mortgage securities but insisted it has adequate capital to fund its operations amid concern about the thrift's financial stability.

AP - World stock markets fell sharply Thursday as troubles at U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers fanned fears of more credit-market losses and drove down financial company shares across the region.

Reuters - Shares of General Motors Corp and Ford Motor Co jumped on Thursday as oil prices dropped to near $100 per barrel and analysts bet a potential $25 billion in federal loans would help the struggling U.S. automakers survive a deep industry downturn.

Reuters - Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) is poised to swoop on rival Postbank (DPBGn.DE) in a two-part takeover valuing the retail lender at roughly $13 billion, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.