U.S. futures imply weak open, S&P on track for down week
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower on Friday as some positive corporate news supported markets, though ongoing violence in Iraq gave investors pause.
Drug-linked payouts: complex fix for Pfizer’s next Astra bid?
LONDON (Reuters) – The world’s biggest would-be drugs merger hit a wall last month but speculation about smart ways that Pfizer could yet seal a deal with AstraZeneca remains intense.
Japan’s Abe unveils plan to cut corporate tax rate to spur growth
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a plan on Friday to cut the corporate tax rate below 30 percent in stages to help pull the economy out of two decades of sluggish growth and deflation.
BNP got high-level 2006 warnings on sanctions busting: report
PARIS (Reuters) – French bank BNP Paribas was warned in 2006 by a high-ranking U.S. Treasury official and in three reports by legal experts that it risked being penalized for breaking U.S. sanctions, according to Le Monde newspaper.
BMW and Tesla executives meet to discuss electric cars
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Executives from German carmaker BMW and U.S.-based Tesla Motors Inc met this week in a move which could lead to the creation of charging stations usable for different types of electric cars.
Suzuki chairman says unclear when court may rule on row with Volkswagen
TOKYO (Reuters) – Suzuki Motor Corp Chairman Osamu Suzuki said it was unclear when an international arbitration court will rule on its 2-1/2 year dispute with Volkswagen AG over their failed partnership.
British rate hike hint boosts sterling, Iraq unrest drives up oil
LONDON(Reuters) – Sterling surged on Friday after the Bank of England hinted at an interest rate rise this year, while escalating violence in Iraq drove oil to a nine-month high and dampened equity markets.
Nextdoor CEO pleads no contest to hit and run charge
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia, whose social networking website espouses neighborhood safety and community, pleaded no contest Thursday in a San Mateo court to a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of a highway accident that a driver …
Ex-BP engineer wins new trial in Gulf of Mexico spill case
(Reuters) – An engineer convicted of obstructing justice in connection with the 2010 BP oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico won a new trial on Thursday.
Airbus takes flight with investors, media after order snub
NEW YORK/TOULOUSE (Reuters) – Europe’s Airbus mounted a transatlantic charm offensive on Thursday to boost sales of the world’s biggest jetliner, the A380, and shine the spotlight on its brand-new A350 – a day after its shares were hit by a record orde…