The Traderszone Network

The fund to compensate for deaths or injuries linked to General Motors Co (GM.N) vehicles with faulty ignition switches this week made its first cash offers to about 15 people, the office of the lawyer overseeing the program said on Wednesday. The fund will pay at least $1 million for each death claim or more if they had dependants. GM has set aside $400 million to cover the compensation costs. The total number of claims filed by Wednesday was up to 850 from the 675 claims through last Friday, including 150 death claims, said an official with the office of lawyer Kenneth Feinberg.

As home builders try to gain more business, more will be going after the entry-level buyer, real estate expert Bradley Hunter told CNBC Wednesday.

For years, federal agencies have struggled to rein in the abuse of government-issued credit cards. In one instance, federal employees were even billing their agency for BMWs and home theatre systems. Federal auditors say even today, departments are failing to provide proper employee oversight—leaving millions of dollars vulnerable to waste and abuse. The latest report comes from the Department of Transportation’s inspector general, who estimated that in 2012 alone, employees charged more than $2 million in unauthorized travel expenses.  

A round of stronger-than-expected data on the U.S. housing market ignited a broad rally Wednesday, stemming a three-day losing streak.

NEW YORK (AP) — A new government study suggests the number of U.S. adults who have tried electronic cigarettes may be leveling off.

Amazon is reportedly diving into the connected home market as it boosts the Lab 126 workforce.
read more

CalPERS’ decision to leave hedge funds was not meant to send a message about the hedge fund industry, its CIO said.