Tuesday morning headlines

Still gaining: Dow is up about 20 points in early trading. The index is now over the 10,900 mark.

Apple at all-time high: Lots of excitement leading up to Saturday's launch of the iPad. Stock is up almost 2 percent this morning, to $237 or so. Morgan Stanley analysts expect Apple to ship about 2.5 million units in its first quarter. (Voices)

Home prices edge higher: Only L.A. and San Diego showed increases between December and January, according to the S&P Case-Shiller home-price index. All other cities surveyed were either flat or down. S&P's David Blitzer said, "The rebound in housing prices seen last fall is fading." (WSJ)

Council considers DWP hike: Members will be looking at Richard Alarcon's compromise plan - supported by the mayor - that would add six percent to the average residential bill and up to seven percent to the average business bill over two years. From the Daily News:

"We heard our residents and the business community loud and clear," Villaraigosa said at a news conference outside DWP headquarters. "Councilman Alarcon's compromise plan for a small one-time rate increase maintains our commitment to green energy and green jobs while mandating reforms to protect our taxpayers. "It is a strong first step and a reasonable middle ground." Alarcon worked on his proposal throughout last week, but so far has only won support from Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who seconded his motion.

AT&T losing iPhone monopoly?: Apple is working on a new iPhone that could be used with Verizon and Sprint. Also on tap is a new version of its current iPhone, one that's slimmer and has a faster processor. (WSJ)

More probes for Toyota: Both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will conduct separate inquiries into the sudden acceleration problems. From the LAT:

At a time when cars are increasingly controlled through complex computer systems, the studies represent the most far-reaching effort yet to assess the causes of sudden acceleration. "We are determined to get to the bottom of sudden acceleration," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a news release dated Tuesday. "For the safety of the American driving public, we must do everything possible to understand what is happening."

Oil prices edge higher: Crude is trading above $82 a barrel, perhaps a response to gains in the stock market - as well as an improving world economy. (AP)

Slight drop in gas prices: Average gallon in the L.A. area fell a penny or so, to $3.111, the government reported.

Shopzilla stays in West L.A.: The company's decision comes after city officials reversed a plan to raise taxes on Internet businesses. The online shopping site had considered moving to Santa Monica. (LAT)

Amgen CEO gets pay hike: Kevin Sharer's compensation was $15.3 million in 2009, an 11 percent increase from a year earlier. Most of that came from gains on stock options and restricted stock. (AP)

Larry King getting killed: His audience plummeted 52 percent in March and he's regularly topped by Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Sean Hannity on Fox. (NYT)

Lacter on radio: This morning's business chat with KPCC's Steve Julian looks at Chinese companies making investments in the U.S. and Census stats showing population growth in L.A. County. Also at kpcc.org and on podcast (Business Update with Mark Lacter)