Fed rate outlook weighs on stocks, lifts dollar
LONDON (Reuters) – European stocks slipped and the dollar strengthened on Thursday after the Federal Reserve took an upbeat view of the world’s largest economy and signaled it was on track to raise interest rates this year.
As gasoline prices drop, Americans swing to favor oil exports: Poll
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Americans are more likely than ever to favor easing a ban on exporting crude oil, so long as it does not lead to higher gasoline prices that have recently sunk to near $2 a gallon, according to a new Reuters-IPSOS poll.
McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson leaving after tumultuous run
(Reuters) – McDonald’s Corp , fresh off one of its worst financial years in decades, on Wednesday said Chief Executive Officer Don Thompson would leave at the end of February and be succeeded by Chief Brand Officer Steve Easterbrook.
Banks to increase base salaries by under three percent in 2015: survey
LONDON (Reuters) – Global banks expect to increase base salaries by less than 3 percent this year and most are not planning to overhaul their pay structure in the face of tougher European Union rules on bonuses, a survey reported on Thursday.
Samsung Elec’s smartphone primacy under threat from Apple after weak Q4
SEOUL (Reuters) – Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is closer to losing its crown as global smartphone leader after posting a plunge in quarterly mobile earnings on Thursday, a day after rival Apple Inc reported the biggest profit in corporate history.
U.S. Air Force awards $383 million launch deal to Boeing, Lockheed venture
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Air Force on Wednesday awarded a $383 million contract for more launch services to United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp , bringing the total value of the contract to $4.08 billion…
IMF sets June deadline for progress on governance reforms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The IMF set a June deadline for making progress on reforms that would give emerging countries more say in how the world lender is run, an attempt to break a standoff created by U.S. failure to ratify the changes.
Facebook tops Wall Street revenue target in fourth quarter
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Facebook Inc’s revenue grew 49 percent in the fourth quarter, as mobile advertising growth helped the world’s largest Internet social network beat Wall Street’s targets for earnings and sales.
Samsung Electronics fourth-quarter profit down 36 percent on year, in line with guidance
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Thursday that October-December profit fell 36 percent from a year earlier, confirming the firm’s first annual earnings decline in three years.
Qualcomm says key customer passed on new chip, stock drops
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Qualcomm Inc reduced its outlook for fiscal 2015, saying it expects its newest Snapdragon mobile chip will not be used in a major customer’s flagship smartphone, sending its shares lower.




