U.S. housing starts, permits fall more than expected in May
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. housing starts and building permits fell more than expected in May, suggesting the housing recovery will likely remain slow for a while.
Uneasy Iraq lull gives investors some breathing space
LONDON (Reuters) – Merger and acquisition speculation gave European stocks a shot in the arm on Tuesday, while commodity and emerging market investors were somewhat calmed by the absence of an escalation in the Iraq crisis overnight.
SoftBank CEO: sees new movement, hopes for more discussion after resistance on T-Mobile
TOKYO (Reuters) – SoftBank Corp CEO Masayoshi Son, who has met resistance from U.S. regulators to a possible acquisition of wireless carrier T-Mobile US Inc, on Tuesday said there had been new movement in the past few months and expressed hope for more…
Obama to tout manufacturing gains, highlight economic progress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will seek to highlight gains in advanced manufacturing in the United States during a trip to Pennsylvania on Tuesday as he tries to show how his administration is boosting economic growth without help from …
Wal-Mart China to raise food safety spending to $48 million
BEIJING (Reuters) – The world’s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc , said on Tuesday that it will increase its spending on food safety in China to 300 million yuan ($48.32 million) in 2013, 2014 and 2015, up from a previously-announced 100 million y…
Shell to sell most of stake in Australia’s Woodside for $5.7 billion
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell launched a long-anticipated sale of most of its stake in Australia’s Woodside Petroleum Ltd on Tuesday, looking to reap about $5.7 billion as it moves to focus on developing its own gas assets in Australia.
SoftBank Capital closes in on financing round with Kony: sources
NEW YORK (Reuters) – SoftBank Corp’s venture capital arm is close to securing an investment in enterprise mobile company Kony Inc, and could announce a deal as soon as Tuesday, people close to the matter said.
Volvo’s China export plans mark new phase in Geely strategy
BEIJING (Reuters) – Volvo Car Corp’s plans to turn China into an export hub shows parent company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co [GEELY.UL] is out to disprove pessimists who have cast doubt on Chinese companies’ ability to manage global consumer brands…
Apple settles e-book antitrust case with U.S. states, others
(Reuters) – Apple Inc reached an out-of-court settlement with U.S. states and other complainants in an e-book price-fixing class action lawsuit on Monday, effectively avoiding a trial in which the iPad maker faced more than $800 million in claims.
Green managers stuff funds with Apple after environmental reforms
BOSTON (Reuters) – Apple Inc, criticized in the past for greenhouse gas emissions, use of toxic materials and the hiring of underage workers, has improved its practices and earned better scores from groups such as Greenpeace. That’s good news for environmentally-aware mutual funds that hold Apple for another big reason – it makes money.