U.S. factory activity accelerates; construction spending at record high
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. factory activity increased more than expected in December, boosted by a surge in new orders growth, in a further sign of strong economic momentum at the end of 2017.
S&P cruises past 2,700 as technology stocks advance
(Reuters) – The benchmark S&P 500 breached the 2,700-mark for the first time shortly after open on Wednesday, while the Nasdaq and the Dow hit records on a strong run in technology stocks.
Brazil’s Petrobras settles U.S. corruption class action for $2.95 billion
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Brazil state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA said on Wednesday it had agreed to pay $2.95 billion to settle a U.S. class action brought by investors who claim they lost money as a result of a graft scandal.
Norway powers ahead (electrically): over half new car sales now electric or hybrid
OSLO (Reuters) – Sales of electric and hybrid cars rose above half of new registrations in Norway in 2017, a record aided by generous subsidies that extended the country’s lead in shifting from fossil-fuel engines, data showed on Wednesday.
Dominion Energy to buy Scana Corp in $7.9 billion deal
(Reuters) – Dominion Energy Inc said on Wednesday it would buy Scana Corp in an all-stock deal worth about $7.9 billion, offering the troubled utility a way out from dealing with spiraling costs and unhappy customers.
Oil hits new two-and-a-half year highs as higher output looms
SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices rose on Wednesday to new two-and-a-half year highs as robust output in the United States and Russia balanced tensions from a sixth day of unrest in OPEC member Iran.
Dominion Energy to buy Scana Corp in $14.6 billion deal
(Reuters) – Dominion Energy Inc said on Wednesday it would buy troubled utility Scana Corp in an all-stock deal worth about $14.6 billion, including debt.
Stock futures rise on signs of strong global economic growth
(Reuters) – U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher opening for Wall Street on Wednesday as signs of quickening economic activity around the world encouraged risk-on sentiment among investors.
Amazon, Google cut speaker prices in market share contest: analysts
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google both discounted their virtual assistant speakers so deeply over the holiday shopping season that they likely lost a few dollars per unit, highlighting a sharply different strategy fro…
More than half of new Norway car sales now electric or hybrid
OSLO (Reuters) – Sales of electric and hybrid cars exceeded half of new registrations in Norway in 2017, a record aided by generous subsidies that extended the Nordic nation’s lead in a shift from fossil-fuel engines, data showed on Wednesday.
