S&P, edge down with Apple; Dow ends at record high
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The S&P 500 closed down and the Nasdaq snapped a 10-session winning streak on Wednesday as investors took profits in Apple shares, while the Dow eked out another record high close.
U.S. new home sales steady near multi-year highs; supply up
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – New U.S. single-family home sales fell only slightly in January despite big declines in the snow-battered Northeast while supply rose to its highest level since 2010, hopeful signs for a sluggish housing market.
Google to combine European units amid tougher rules: FT
(Reuters) – Google Inc is combining its two European arms to meet the challenges of a more combative regulatory landscape on the continent, the Financial Times said.
Brent crude up 5 percent as Saudi sees improved demand for oil
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Brent crude oil futures surged 5 percent on Wednesday, after Saudi Arabia’s oil minister said oil demand was growing and data showed Chinese factories were producing more than expected.
Deutsche Bank hires Urwin from JPMorgan for investment bank
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Deutsche Bank AG said on Wednesday that it has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co executive Jeff Urwin to be co-head of corporate banking and securities and head of corporate finance.
Exclusive: Petrobras hires JPMorgan for $3 billion in asset sales – sources
SAO PAULO/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Petróleo Brasileiro SA has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co to handle $3 billion in planned asset sales this year, as fallout from a corruption scandal has shut access to financing for Brazil’s state-controlled oil producer, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation said on Wednesday.
Greece sees problems repaying IMF, ECB; Germans air mistrust
ATHENS/BERLIN (Reuters) – Greece said on Wednesday it will struggle to make debt repayments to the IMF and the European Central Bank this year as Germany’s finance minister voiced open doubts about Athens’ trustworthiness.
New Osram CEO has no plans for further job cuts: paper
BERLIN (Reuters) – The new boss of Germany’s Osram Licht has no plans at present to cut more jobs at the lighting products maker, he was quoted as saying by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Wednesday.
Target beats and sales forecasts in sign strategy working
(Reuters) – U.S. retailer Target Corp reported a stronger-than-expected jump in fourth-quarter sales and profits and forecast modest growth this quarter in a sign that its online business strategy and focus on promoting select categories is working.
GSK set to complete $20 billion Novartis asset swap next week
LONDON (Reuters) – GlaxoSmithKline said on Wednesday it expected to conclude a $20 billion-plus three-part asset swap with Novartis in the week commencing March 2, following progress in obtaining clearances for the deal.
