Europe’s banks have had a rough year: Their stock prices have fallen so low that some observers wonder whether they are viable in their current form. Yet the most commonly proposed solution — a true banking union — is also deeply flawed. The euro area’s banking system faces numerous difficulties. These include economic growth that seems to be permanently …

  Tara Lachapelle On Sunday evening, John Oliver bemoaned the struggle of the newspaper industry. On Monday evening, News Corp. embodied it. The $7.5 billion publishing company controlled by billionaire Rupert Murdoch reported fourth-quarter results that drew a dull response from investors. While total company revenue beat estimates, advertising sales fell 5 percent and profit was below expectations. The stock …

  Bloomberg Oil held declines below $43 a barrel as weekly US industry data showed crude stockpiles expanded, keeping supplies at the highest seasonal level in at least two decades. Futures were little changed in New York after losing 0.6 percent on Tuesday. Inventories rose by 2.09 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. Government …