Ford makes big investment in Louisville, Ky.

Ford has transformed a nearly 60-year-old assembly plant in Kentucky into the new home of the redesigned Escape. And it's bolstered the workforce to make the small SUV.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-makes-big-investment-louisville-101225271.html

Italy on right path with Monti reforms: German finance minister

Italy must implement the reforms set out by Prime Minister Mario Monti to avoid becoming the next victim of euro zone contagion after the bailout for Spain's banks, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told an Italian daily.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/13/us-germany-schaeuble-idUSBRE85C0G820120613

US Stock Futures Rally As Investors Cheer Spain's Bailout Request

U.S. stock futures extended a global rally as investors cheered Spain's agreement to seek bailout funds for its troubled banks.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 56 points, or 0.4%, to 12559, but had been up as much as 169 points earlier in the session. The Dow climbed 435.63 points, or 3.6% last week, the largest weekly gain of the year.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120611-704926.html

Monti Fights to Reshape Italy in Shadow of Euro Crisis

Could Italy be next?

As Spain becomes the fourth euro zone country to accept an international bailout, Italian officials are faced anew with a question that has haunted them since Europe’s debt crisis broke open three years ago. When will the financial infection cross our borders?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/business/global/monti-struggles-to-keep-italy-from-being-the-next-domino-to-fall.html?ref=business

Selling Abroad, China Eases Slump at Home

 With China’s domestic economy stumbling badly this spring as construction and retail sales slow, this country is unleashing a fresh surge of exports that is preserving millions of jobs in Chinese factories but could fan trade tensions with the West.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/business/global/with-surge-in-exports-china-eases-economic-slump-at-home.html?hp

May another $2B month for Texas sales tax revenue

The Texas Comptroller reports that the state collected more than $2 billion in May, marking 26 months of sales tax growth.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/may-another-2b-month-texas-170509101.html

Facebook stock gets a lift as Dow gains

Facebook's battered stock is advancing slightly along with the broader market, with the Dow Jones industrial average heading higher for the second straight day.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/facebook-stock-gets-lift-dow-152317018.html