In U.S., China, Europe, data points to global rebound
NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) – Business surveys on Thursday suggested the world economy was on the mend, with U.S. and Chinese manufacturing activity at multi-month highs and better-than-expected growth in the euro zone.
U.S. August auto sales to rise 12 percent: J.D. Power & LMC
(Reuters) – U.S. auto sales in August are on pace to show a 12 percent rise from last year, market analysts J.D. Power & Associates and LMC Automotive said on Thursday.
Abercrombie & Fitch same-store sales plummet; outlook weak
(Reuters) – Abercrombie & Fitch Co reported comparable sales and profit far below Wall Street expectations on Thursday, blaming a drop in store visits by shoppers, and the teen retailer said business would decline even more during the current back-to-school quarter.
U.S. looks to turn the screw in Swiss banks talks
By Martin de Sa’Pinto, Katharina Bart and Patrick Temple-West
U.S. labor market, factory data show economy firming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits last week held near a six-year low and U.S. manufacturing activity rose this month, suggesting the economy is starting to find firmer footing.
Wal-Mart’s South African unit lags rival in expansion
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Wal-Mart’s South African unit, Massmart , reported a 10 percent fall in first-half profit on Thursday hurt by a weak market and slow expansion into other African countries.
Analysis: Central Europe sheltered from emerging markets sell-off
WARSAW/LONDON (Reuters) – The currencies of emerging European countries such as Poland and Hungary have dodged the giant selloffs hitting other emerging markets, and their links to a steadily recovering euro zone are likely to keep them insulated.
Morgan Stanley fined $1 million over bond pricing violations
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Morgan Stanley will pay a $1 million fine and compensate harmed investors to settle civil charges that the bank failed to give customers the best market prices for some corporate and municipal bonds, U.S. brokerage regulators sai…
Analysis: New Greek rescue promises euro drama, not crisis
LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The need for a new rescue program for Greece promises a drawn-out drama of late-night negotiations but is unlikely to trigger the sort of crisis that has threatened the breakup of the euro in the recent past.
HP could do acquisitions up to $1.5 billion: CEO
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Hewlett-Packard Co sees acquisitions as part of the No. 1 PC maker’s future and it could do deals up to $1.5 billion, Chief Executive Meg Whitman told cable network CNBC on Thursday.
