Dollar days

The dollar rose toward a two-week high against the euro before reports this week that economists say will show GDP expanded more than previously esti mated.

Rising gas

The average national price for a gallon of gas rose 7.59 cents to $2.98 over the past two weeks, even though oil prices fell slightly.

KKR flop

KKR and Australian fund manager Perpetual Ltd. ended talks for a possible takeover by the buyout firm after failing to agree on an acceptable offer. Sydney-based Per petual agreed in October to enter talks with KKR even after rejecting an initial proposal of as much as $39.54 a share.

Apax apex

London-based Apax Partners LLP plans to raise at least $11 billion in a new buyout fund next year, the Financial Times reported, with out attribution.

Euro bondo

European top-rated company bonds are trad ing at their cheapest lev els ever relative to US debt as the region’s defi cit crisis widens. Invest ment-grade euro-denomi nated bond yields average 189 basis points more than government debt, compared with a 169 spread for the US variety.