Could the government create a backdoor stimulus?

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:00:49 -0400

Could the government create a backdoor stimulus?
An idea that could create a massive refinance wave -- and a back-door
stimulus program to boost consumer spending -- is generating debate
among investment bank analysts in New York and in Washington policy
circles.

UPDATES, ADVISORIES AND SURPRISES
A roundup of the latest corporate earnings reports and what companies
are saying about future quarters.

TIME WARNER PROFIT UP 7% ON AD SALES, BOX OFFICE
Quarterly profit rises on improved advertising sales at its
cable-television networks and box-office proceeds from "Clash of the
Titans" and "Sex and the City 2."

TIME WARNER: SO FAR, SO GOOD
It seems hard to believe that Time Warner Inc. is one of the most
boring media giants around.

AOL LOSES $1.1 BILLION ON RESTRUCTURING COSTS
The New York-based Web service firm's quarterly loss includes a
goodwill impairment charge of $1.4 billion.