Business briefs

BlackRock-ed

Bank of America may unload some of its 34 per cent chunk of BlackRock, saying the influential asset manager isn’t a core asset, WSJ.com reported, citing sources. No talks have been held, but these sources said BlackRock execs expect BofA will sell down its stake. Black Rock, which oversees $3.15 trillion in client as sets, has right of first re fusal on any sale.

Colossal IPO

Agricultural Bank of China boosted the size of its initial public offering to $22.1 billion after sell ing more stock in Shang hai, making it the world’s largest first-time share sale. China’s biggest lender by customers sold an additional 3.34 billion shares at the IPO price of 39 cents apiece. That in creased the Shanghai por tion of the lender’s IPO to $9.9 billion.

Back to basics

Laura Tyson, a member of the Obama administra tion’s Economic Recov ery Advisory Board, told ABC’s “This Week” the best way to stimulate the economy is to keep in vesting in infrastructure projects and education.

Rising gas

The price of regular gas rose 3.86 cents in the three weeks ended Aug. 13 to $2.7722, according to a na tional survey.