WASHINGTON AP – Congress is taking a close look at suspiciously timed stock options for top company executives, a corporate practice that is a source of anger for shareholders and the subject of federal investigations.

At least 78 public companies, including iPod maker Apple Computer, UnitedHealth Group, Home Depot, Intuit and Barnes & Noble, are under scrutiny by the Justice Department or the Securities and Exchange Commission, or both, for possible manipulation of stock option grants.