As the Modern Cupcake Moment swirls into its second decade, America just might have to admit that what we’re dealing with — 669.4 million sold from October 2010 to October 2011, according to the market research firm NPD — is not a fad. It’s an enduring love affair. Read full article > >

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The psychology of cupcakes

Anheuser-Busch InBev is introducing a new beer, Bud Light Platinum, and they’re doing it in grand style by buying a pair of 30-second spots during the first quarter of the Super Bowl , a marketing strategy that is certainly setting the company back several million dollars. Read full article > >

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Bud Light Platinum has got the blues

Anheuser-Busch InBev is introducing a new beer, Bud Light Platinum, and they’re doing it in grand style by buying a pair of 30-second spots during the first quarter of the Super Bowl , a marketing strategy that is certainly setting the company back several million dollars. Read full article > >

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Bud Light Platinum has got the blues

For the past three years, promoters of shale gas and environmentalists opposed to coal-fired power plants have hailed the sudden abundance of U.S. natural gas as a bridge to a renewable-energy future. But natural gas has become so cheap that many energy experts and environmentalists now wonder whether it will turn into a long, bumpy detour. Read full article > >

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Cheap natural gas jumbles energy markets, stirs fears it could inhibit renewables

Private-equity firms are buying up foreclosed homes to turn them into rental properties, with two firms recently pledging to invest $1 billion each in the next few years, according to Bloomberg . The move builds on a recent push by the Obama administration to turn some 200,000 single-family, underwater homes into rentals to revive the housing market. This will include homes held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which holds about 32,000 homes that were foreclosed upon. Read full article > >

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Could private equity help save the housing market?

Square’s mobile readers are headed to select T-Mobile retail locations Tuesday, and just in time for campaign season. The Square mobile reader — a smartphone accessory with a card reader that you can plug into the headphone jack of most iPhones, iPads and Android devices — will be sold in T-Mobile stores starting Tuesday. The attachments, which are already sold in Apple stores and other retailers such as Target and Best Buy, make it possible to process credit cards via smartphone. That ability has become increasingly important for merchants who have historically run on a cash-only basis, such as food carts or farmer’s market vendors. Read full article > >

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Square readers coming to T-Mobile stores

The social network and Washington State sue a marketing firm over claims that it deceived users by hiding ‘Like’ buttons. The firm denies the charge.

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Facebook clickjacking legal row

A National Academy of Sciences committee called for further study of the minuscule substances, which are found in products from makeup to paint and drive a $225 billion market.

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Nanomaterials’ Effects on Health and Environment Unclear, Panel Says

With the next Republican primary in a state hard hit by the collapse of the housing bubble, free-market instincts collide with voters’ desperation.

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In Florida, Facing the Political Implications of Housing Crisis

Asda, the UK’s second biggest supermarket chain, announces plans to open 25 new stores and three depots, creating 5,000 jobs this year.

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Asda to create 5,000 jobs in 2012

Tells emerging markets to ‘prepare for the worst.’

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World Bank Cuts Global Forecast

BEIJING — China’s economy grew by 8.9 percent in the final quarter of last year, better than economists had predicted but still signaling that the world’s second largest economy is starting to cool. A steep year-end drop in exports and a cooling real estate market contributed to the slowdown. Read full article > >

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China’s December growth slowest in 2½ years

Julie Schmit reports that the housing market is at, or very near, its bottom. After falling by 9 percent last year, single-family housing starts are expected to jump by 37 percent in 2012. Prices could still fall a bit, but by 2013, we should be in a real housing recovery. Read full article > >

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Who will get the ‘Recovery Presidency’?

Julie Schmit reports that the housing market is at, or very near, its bottom. After falling by 9 percent last year, single-family housing starts are expected to jump by 37 percent in 2012. Prices could still fall a bit, but by 2013, we should be in a real housing recovery. Read full article > >

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Who will get the ‘Recovery Presidency’?

Borrowing costs tumbled for both economically stressed countries, giving markets and the euro a lift.

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Strong Debt Auctions Held in Spain and Italy