For capital markets to function properly, investors, regulators and the public must believe that numbers don't lie. But they are periodically confronted with the unsettling notion that profits and losses can be doctored.

HCA Holdings reported fourth-quarter earnings Monday that included an 8.5% increase in revenue, and announced a special dividend of $2.00 per share.

Warren Buffett has been anything but shy when it comes to expressing his optimistic view towards the U.S. economy. Whether it is through newspapers, television interviews, or face-to-face interactions like his annual shareholder's meeting, the billionaire investor has remained unwavering in his bullish projections for years.

AP - The German government says strong demand from outside the eurozone helped the country's industrial orders rise a stronger-than-expected 1.7 percent in December.

Reuters - U.S. police officers cleared tents from an "Occupy" protest site in downtown Washington on Sunday, but demonstrators said even without the camp they would continue to fight for economic equality and other issues.