S&P ends flat ahead of jobs report; Internet names gain
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The S&P 500 ended nearly flat on Thursday as investors paused ahead of Friday’s jobs report, though gains in Internet shares helped lift the Nasdaq.
Alcoa CEO to skip Russian forum at U.S.’s request
(Reuters) – The chief executive of Alcoa Inc has canceled plans to attend Vladimir Putin’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum later this month, the U.S. aluminum producer said in a statement on Thursday.
EBay settles with U.S. over pact to not poach employees
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The online commerce company eBay Inc has agreed to refrain from making deals with other technology companies to not poach each others’ employees and by doing so limit workers’ access to better jobs, U.S. authorities said on Thurs…
Nike CEO says could shift China production over labor strife
BOSTON (Reuters) – Nike Chief Executive Mark Parker said on Thursday the footwear and athletic apparel company was considering shifting its production within China following a major strike at a supplier’s factory.
Carmakers see spring thaw as U.S. auto sales up 8 percent in April
DETROIT (Reuters) – The U.S. auto industry in April rebounded sharply from a bitter and extended winter, with car sales rising 8 percent from the previous year.
Exxon, Conoco see a quarterly payoff from natural gas
HOUSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. oil companies Exxon Mobil Corp and ConocoPhillips both reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations on Thursday, helped partly by higher natural gas prices.
Mulally to hand over Ford CEO job earlier than expected
DEARBORN, Michigan (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co on Thursday made official what investors and analysts had been waiting for – Chief Executive Alan Mulally this summer will pass the baton of leadership to Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields, six months earl…
Ally Financial adjusted profit rises as costs fall
(Reuters) – Auto-lender Ally Financial Inc , which went public in April, reported on Thursday a rise in adjusted quarterly profit as the company cut both its financing costs and operating expenses.
Pfizer prepares sweeter bid for AstraZeneca: report
(Reuters) – Pfizer Inc may sweeten its offer for Britain’s AstraZeneca Plc to more than 63 billion pounds, or $106 billion, and raise the cash portion of the deal, to kickstart negotiations, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
Strong consumer spending, factory data buoy U.S. growth outlook
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. consumer spending recorded its largest gain in more than 4-1/2 years in March and factory activity accelerated last month, reinforcing views the economy was regaining steam.
