Consumer prices in the United States fell 0.1%

Regulators on the flash crash: it's complicated
If market regulators had a Facebook page to describe their relationship with the investors, their status would be “it’s complicated. See full story.

Rejection of Democrat measures may slow bank bill
The Senate is set to vote on a key motion that if approved could lead to enactment of a sweeping bank reform bill by the end of the week, but rejection of some Democratic provisions could cause a late obstacle to final passage. See full story.

SEC proposes creating unified stock-halt system
Top regulators and stock-exchange officials call for a unified circuit-breaker system for all exchanges to halt or slow down trades of a particular stock if the price moves 10% or more in a five-minute period. See full story.

Europe shares down after German short-sale ban
Europe stocks fall on Wednesday as a solo effort from Germany to crack down on speculators highlights policy-making disparity in the region and alerts investors to the possibility of a crisis. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY
Facebook is in the eye of a storm, writes Therese Poletti. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE
The global recession had largely muzzled inflation's bite, but actions being taken to cure the developed world’s economic ills could revive threats to bond investors and savers and spoil many Americans’ retirement plans