Ben S. Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, outlined a series of steps the Fed is considering taking in the coming months to stem the crisis.

The three main credit-rating agencies failed to rein in conflicts of interest in giving high ratings to risky securities backed by subprime mortgages, federal regulators said.

IndyMac Bancorp said that depositors were withdrawing cash at an “elevated” pace after Sen. Charles E. Schumer questioned the mortgage lender’s ability to survive the housing crisis.

Surging costs at the aluminum producer more than offset a jump in prices, sending second-quarter profit lower. The results beat Wall Street expectations, however.

Wall Street posted big gains as oil prices dropped for the second straight day and investors were encouraged by the possibility of more help for the ailing financial system.

Wall Street posted big gains as oil prices dropped for the second straight day and investors were encouraged by the possibility of more help for the ailing financial system.

Oil prices fell sharply for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, dropping $5.33 a barrel, to $136.04, and causing a sell-off of oil stocks.

IndyMac Bancorp said that depositors were withdrawing cash at an “elevated” pace after Sen. Charles E. Schumer questioned the mortgage lender’s ability to survive the housing crisis.

The three main credit-rating agencies failed to rein in conflicts of interest in giving high ratings to risky securities backed by subprime mortgages, federal regulators said.

A leading forecaster of advertising spending has again cut his prediction for growth this year amid weakness in the U.S. economy and difficulties among media like newspapers and radio.