Bloomberg Counterfeit goods, software piracy and the theft of trade secrets cost the American economy as much as $600 billion a year, a private watchdog says. In a report out on Monday, the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property says the annual losses range from about $225 billion to $600 billion. The theft of trade secrets alone …

  Bloomberg Blackstone Group LP and Prudential Plc were picked as preferred bidders for about 12.5 billion pounds ($16 billion) of UK mortgages made by failed lender Bradford & Bingley, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The New York private-equity giant and London-based insurer were among winners in a contest overseen by UK Asset Resolution Ltd., a …

  Bloomberg General Motors Co. boosted incentives on its pickup models this month after its biggest foes gained ground, intensifying a price war within the US auto market’s most hotly contested segment. Discounts averaged about $6,996 for the Chevrolet Silverado and $5,315 for the GMC Sierra this month through February 12, according to J.D. Power dealer data obtained by Bloomberg …