• Altria, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, is in talks to buy UST for more than $10 billion. [NYT]
  • Rising unemployment numbers have investors concerned. [NYP]
  • Lehman is considering a plan that would split the bank into two and separate out the firm's risky investments in mortgages and real estate. [NYT]
  • Atticus Capital and its founder Tim Barakett are denying rumors that the hedge fund company is planning to liquidate its funds. [WSJ]
  • Mohamed El-Erian is the new CEO of Pimco. [WSJ]
  • Take-Two reported higher-than-expected quarterly profits thanks to sales of Grand Theft Auto 4. [Reuters]
  • The only big retail chain that seems to be doing well these days? Wal-Mart. [NYP]
  • Yahoo's stock is now at a five-year low. [Dealbook]
  • Phillip Bennett, the former chief of Refco, reported to prison yesterday. [Reuters]