Business_Finance

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President Obama, accompanied by first responders behind him, speaks in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office building on the White House complex in Washington on Feb. 19, 2013, to urge Congress to come up with an alternative plan to avert automatic spending cuts set to kick in on March 1. (Associated Press)

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** FILE ** A foreclosure sign sits outside a home for sale in Phoenix, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa casts his vote for National Assembly members in Quito, Ecuador, on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. Voters were electing the president, vice president and National Assembly members, with Mr. Correa highly favored to win a second re-election. His government has won broad backing from the lower classes as it leads Latin America in social spending. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

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There’s been a boomlet of interest in “Ben Carson for President” merchandise since his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast last week. (CAFEPRESS.COM)

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Specialist Anthony Confusione (right) works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. The stock market recently surged to five-year highs. Many small investors remain skittish, however. (Associated Press)