JAPAN

Bailed-out insurer American International Group lost more than $1 billion from its ongoing operations in the first quarter, as the company took a huge charge for the termination of its credit facility from the Federal Reserve.

Bailed-out insurer American International Group posted a loss from continuing operations in the first quarter as it recorded a charge of more than $3 billion related to its recapitalization and termination of its credit facility from the Federal Reserve.

The number of Americans filing for jobless aid rose to an eight-month high last week and productivity growth slowed in the first quarter, clouding the outlook for an economy that is struggling to gain speed.

The number of Americans filing for jobless aid rose to an eight-month high last week and productivity growth slowed in the first quarter, clouding the outlook for an economy that is struggling to gain speed.

Cisco announced changes to its management structure.

The number of Americans filing for jobless aid rose to an eight-month high last week and productivity growth slowed in the first quarter, clouding the outlook for an economy that is struggling to gain speed.

Shares of General Motors Co fell as much as 4.7 percent on Thursday as investor concerns over weak pricing at the No. 1 U.S. automaker outweighed a giant leap in quarterly net profit.

The number of Americans filing for jobless aid rose to an eight-month high last week and productivity growth slowed in the first quarter, clouding the outlook for an economy that is struggling to gain speed.

General Motors Co is expected to report on Thursday first-quarter operating earnings more than double a year earlier, driven by a recovery in the U.S. market and strong sales in Asia.

General Motors Co's quarterly profit more than tripled, beating expectations, driven by a recovery in the U.S. market and strong sales in Asia.

The top pre-market NASDAQ Stock Market gainers are: Kendle International, ZST Digital Networks, Hansen Medical, JDS Uniphase, Cbeyond, and ON Semiconductor. The top pre-market NASDAQ Stock Market losers are: Smith Micro Software, Sierra Wireless, Atmel, Aixtron, Mercadolibre, and ARM Holdings.

Adidas said soaring demand from the United States, China and Russia for its sneakers would offset a profit hit from the Japan earthquake, allowing it to raise its sales outlook for the second time this year.

Axa on Thursday said it was confident it would raise profits this year in spite of a drop in first-quarter sales as Europe's second-biggest insurer implements a strategy shift focused on improving margins.

The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market losers are: Smith Micro Software, FARO Technologies, DragonWave, Atmel, Kulicke & Soffa Industries, ISTA Pharmaceuticals, EarthLink, Windstream, News Corp., and Sierra Wireless.

Axa, Europe's second- biggest insurer, on Thursday posted a 2 percent drop in first-quarter revenue on a comparable basis, hit by significant declines in business in France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains very serious.

Adidas, the world's second-largest sporting goods company, raised its sales outlook for the second time this year after the U.S., Chinese and Russian markets drove first-quarter growth.

Spot silver prices slid for the fifth straight day Thursday to the lowest in a month, while the euro secured gains against the dollar Thursday before the European Central Bank meeting where it is expected to reinforce its hawkish outlook.

Silver nursed losses on Thursday after suffering its biggest three-day drop in five years on heavy profit taking while the euro consolidated gains against the dollar before the European Central Bank meeting where it is expected to reinforce its hawkish outlook.

Avon Products Inc faces more woes as its internal bribery investigation found that the company may have made improper payments in countries besides China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Avon Products Inc faces more woes as its internal bribery investigation uncovered the company may have made improper payments in countries besides China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.