Buisiness briefs for July 4

• European bank raises key rate to 4.25 percent
• Former Refco CEO given 16 years in jail for fraud
• Lawyers face new trial in diet-drug settlement

Stock markets finish short week unevenly

NEW YORK - Wall Street capped a shortened trading week with a mixed finish Thursday after some uneven economic data: news of a contraction in the nation's services sector and a tame reading on employment. But stocks still had their third dismal week in a row, with the major indexes again posting losses as worries about rising oil prices and the fallout from the credit crisis dogged the market.

Treasury chief: No quick oil fix

LONDON - U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warned Thursday that rising oil prices are likely to prolong the world economic slowdown.

Auto analyst: Chrysler is in danger Bankruptcy, sale may be needed, JPMorgan says

DETROIT - Faced with soaring gasoline prices, a sputtering economy and a rapid U.S. market shift away from trucks, the U.S. auto industry's weakest player, Chrysler, might have to file for bankruptcy or sell its storied Jeep and Dodge Ram brands as early as next year, JPMorgan said Thursday.

Microsoft seeks help on bid

SAN FRANCISCO - Unable to strike a deal on its own, Microsoft Corp. reportedly i s hoping to snap up Yahoo's online search operations with the help of News Corp. and Time Warner Inc.

Business Briefs

Rule to protect workers from heat exposure

Stocks of local interest

Adobe System 39.81 -0.57

Learn three Cs of credit before applying for a loan

When you're looking for credit, it's worth understanding what potential creditors are looking for when they're looking at you. Traditionally, they're looking for the three Cs: capacity, character, and collateral. Capacity

Consumers looking to cut costs return to coupons

CINCINNATI - With her household budget tightening, Michelle Fox treats couponing like getting a part-time job to help make ends meet.

Learn three Cs of credit before applying for a loan

When you're looking for credit, it's worth understanding what potential creditors are looking for when they're looking at you. Traditionally, they're looking for the three Cs: capacity, character, and collateral.