Stocks tumbled Tuesday as investors bet that an unexpectedly sharp contraction in the service sector was the latest sign that the economy was slipping into recession.

Asian markets plunged Wednesday after a steep drop on Wall Street overnight fanned investors’ fears the U.S. economy was sliding into a recession that would sap demand for Asian exports.

Due to a clash with its union, Ford Motor Co. returned this week to a normal five-day work schedule on its F-150 line at the Claycomo plant.

Kansas City Southern posted another strong quarter with sharp earnings and revenue gains in 2007’s final three months.

Almost as many Americans plan to save or invest expected government tax rebate checks as plan to spend them, according to a survey commissioned by American Century Investments.

Judge Raymond Pianka views his courtroom as the emergency room of the foreclosure crisis.

The first warning sign came when a sharp-eyed worker sorting pills noticed that the odd blue flecks dotting the finished drug capsules matched the paint on the factory doors.

Mazda’s profit jumped 7 percent in the October-December quarter as sales grew on the popularity of a remodeled compact and other vehicles in almost all regions, the Japanese automaker said Wednesday.

Wall Street plunged Tuesday, driving the Dow Jones industrials down 370 points after investors saw an unexpected contraction in the service sector as evidence the economy is sinking into recession. It was the Dow’s biggest percentage drop in almost a year.

The subprime mortgage meltdown has seeped into yet another corner of the financial world. U.S. Central Federal Credit Union of Lenexa, which invests funds on behalf of the nation’s regional credit unions, said it took a $760 million markdown on the $40 billion in investment securities it holds for sale.