WSJ.com: Markets

Oil prices, continuing their free-fall from July highs, could soon push much lower, threatening energy-driven companies and economies.

Citigroup bought a 5.3% stake in General Growth even as it is playing tough in debt-extension talks. The mall owner faces bankruptcy if it can't extend a big loan with a group including Citi.

Shareholders are set to approve Bank of America's takeover of Merrill Lynch in separate votes Friday.

Thomas H. Lee is considering shrinking or shutting two hedge funds after big losses.

J.P. Morgan seized tens of millions of dollars of collateral from a fund run by Guggenheim and started to auction it off following the fund's failure to come up with additional capital to meet marg...

Applications to refinance home-mortgages jumped by a record amount, as borrowers flocked to take advantage of falling mortgage rates.

Carlyle is cutting 10% of its staff, the first large U.S. private-equity firm to announce firmwide layoffs as the industry braces for leaner times.

Nonbank firms are calling for more federal action to unlock credit markets and jump-start lending to businesses.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey received no bids for $300 million of taxable notes it put up for sale.

The Treasury Department is considering a plan to revitalize the U.S. housing market by reducing mortgage rates for new home loans to as low as 4.5%.