THE EXETER CONSULTING GROUP

Britain’s gross domestic product fell 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2009 from the previous quarter. From a year earlier, the economy’s decline was the largest ever.

In Japan, the closely watched Tankan survey of big manufacturers bounced back from a record low it hit in March, coming in at minus 48 in its June survey.

A federal judge sentenced Bernard L. Madoff to 150 years in prison for running a huge Ponzi scheme that devastated thousands of investors, calling his crimes “extraordinarily evil.”

Japanese business confidence pulled back from a record low hit three months ago as widely expected, the Bank of Japan’s tankan corporate survey showed.

Freddie Mac’s board has made Charles E. “Ed” Haldeman Jr. its prime candidate for CEO of the government-backed mortgage company.

The Minnesota Supreme Court cleared the way for Democrat Al Franken to become Minnesota’s new U.S. senator, giving the Democrats a 60-seat voting majority in the Senate.

The Dow industrials closed the second quarter at 8447.00, up 11%, or 838.08 points, for the last three months but down 3.8% for the year. The S&P 500-stock index finished June at 919.32, up 15% for the quarter and 1.8% higher for the year.

Toyota’s new president has been in his new position for about a week but already is confronted with a tough test following GM’s decision to end the companies’ California vehicle-assembly venture.

GM’s Henderson told a bankruptcy judge that the U.S. government, in line to become the auto maker’s majority owner, is demanding a quick sale.

Carlyle Group raised $1 billion for a fund targeting fast-growing Asian companies, finding appetite for exposure to China and India.

Lloyds Banking Group said it was reorganizing its group and wholesale operations, which would result in a loss of 2,100 jobs over the losses already announced.

The F.D.I.C. is expected to announce new rules on Thursday for bank takeovers by private equity firms that may force the buyers of failed banks to pledge more money if the lenders falter.

Disney hopes to boost Hong Kong Disneyland attendance with a $452 million expansion.

Chinalco plans to subscribe to a $15.2 billion rights issue being undertaken by miner Rio Tinto.

J. Ezra Merkin is selling $310 million worth of art to a mystery buyer after suffering losses tied to Madoff.