Reuters - A European Union financial stability fund with the potential to raise up to 440 billion euros ($580 billion) to help EU countries weather debt problems is now fully operational, officials said on Friday.

Reuters - Warren Buffett%27s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N)(BRKb.N) said on Friday second-quarter profit fell 40 percent, as declining stock prices depressed the value of his derivative contracts.

Reuters - U.S. Social Security payments will exceed receipts this year for the first time in 27 years partly because of the impact of the recession but the long-range health of the program was little changed from last year, a government report said on Thursday.

Reuters - It should be possible to create a U.S. housing finance system without the need for potentially risky entities like government-sponsored mortgage finance agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said.

Reuters - Private employers added fewer workers to their payrolls in July than expected and hiring in June was much weaker than had been thought, a blow to an economic recovery that is failing to gain traction.

Reuters - Republicans emboldened by a weak U.S. jobs report pressed their attack against the ruling Democrats on Friday, hoping to translate Americans%27 unhappiness with the economy into votes on November 2.

Reuters - International inspectors on Thursday applauded Greece%27s efforts to exit its debt crisis, endorsing a fresh 9 billion euro payment from an EU/IMF bailout scheme, but urged reforms in energy, banking and the public sector.

Reuters - The Treasury Department on Friday acknowledged that the number of homeowners in trouble again despite getting help from the administration%27s signature mortgage aid program was higher than earlier estimates.

Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Friday ahead of U.S. monthly jobs data.

Reuters - The Obama administration on Friday acknowledged it had underestimated the number of homeowners who fell seriously behind on their mortgage payments even after getting government help.

Reuters - The demand for mortgage applications to purchase homes rose last week for a third straight week as interest rates tumbled, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday.

Reuters - President Barack Obama is expected to renominate Peter Diamond to become a member of the Federal Reserve Board, a White House official said on Friday.