Equities

New York -- U.S. stock indexes chugged close to the break-even point for the year through 18 weeks, then stalled, the Dow index falling 2.4 percent through the 19th week.

When there's bad news in the equity markets, the summer investors and sunshine analysts fold up their tents and sell their stocks. And it's usually at the exact wrong time, too.

Washinton -- Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would raise taxes on publicly traded private equity firms and hedge funds.

In a major step being taken by the French government to boost the legal digital music market, amendments are being proposed in the online copyright bill in France. If all goes according to plan, this step is all set to pose a major threat to Apple Computer Inc. in two of their fastest growing markets, which includes that of the iPod music player and the iTunes online store. The bill, it is said has been designed to adapt the country's copyright rules to the fast changing market for online content.