Japan’s Suntory to buy U.S. spirits maker Beam for $13.6 billion cash
LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Suntory Holdings Ltd on Monday said it would buy U.S. spirits company Beam Inc for $13.6 billion cash in a deal that would make the Japanese company the world’s third-largest spirits maker.
Airbus posts record orders, ponders higher production
TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) – Airbus stands ready to increase output after winning an industry peak of 1,619 new airplane orders in 2013, as it seeks to turn a record backlog of almost nine years of plane production into hard profit.
Ford to double hybrid offerings by 2020: development chief
DETROIT (Reuters) – The top development executive at Ford Motor Co said on Monday that the U.S. automaker plans to double its hybrid offerings by 2020.
U.S. posts record December budget surplus
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government last month posted the largest budget surplus for any December on record, boosted by payments from government-controlled housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .
Hyundai Motor sees U.S. market share rebound to 4.7 percent in 2014
DETROIT (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor expects its market share to bounce back to 4.7 percent this year from 4.6 percent in 2013, propelled by new models such as the revamped Sonata sedan and eased capacity constraints, the automaker’s U.S. chief told Reute…
Madoff trustee wins court fight over Picower settlement
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Two former investors with Bernard Madoff cannot pursue claims against the estate of a Florida businessman who was one of the convicted swindler’s biggest clients, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.
Fed’s Lockhart gives cautious backing to more QE cuts
ATLANTA (Reuters) – A top U.S. central banker on Monday cautiously endorsed further cuts to a stimulative bond-buying program, warning the labor market has not yet healed and that there are worrisome signs of disinflation in the economy.
VW U.S. chief says changing mindset at German HQ key for success
DETROIT (Reuters) – Michael Horn, the German executive tasked with reviving Volkswagen AG’s fortunes in the United States, said the recipe for success in North America is to change the mindset at the company’s headquarters in Germany.
GM’s Chevy brand posted record global sales in 2013: GM
DETROIT (Reuters) – General Motors Co said on Monday that its Chevrolet unit sold a record number of cars and trucks in 2013 as strong demand from drivers in the United States, China, Brazil and Mexico offset sharp weakness in Russia.
U.S. venture funds raise more in fourth quarter, but less for year
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – U.S. venture funds raised $4.85 billion last quarter, up 53 percent from the same period a year ago, but full-year 2013 fundraising fell 15 percent compared to the year before.
