MEXICO

Stocks fell on Thursday as persistent concerns about unemployment and consumer spending were underscored by an unexpected rise in initial jobless claims and July retail sales that were mostly weaker than expected.

The U.S. Export-Import Bank said on Thursday it approved a loan guarantee for Ford Motor Co to finance $3.1 billion in exports of cars and trucks to customers in Canada and Mexico.

The U.S. Export-Import Bank will unveil a loan guarantee on Thursday for Ford Motor Co that will finance $3.1 billion in exports of cars and trucks to customers in Canada and Mexico, a White House official said.

Oil company BP claimed a significant milestone in efforts to plug a leaking well for good on Wednesday ahead of a U.S. government report that will show most of the spilled crude is already gone.

RadioShack Corp reported a higher quarterly profit as the consumer electronics chain benefited from higher postpaid wireless sales and the launch of key products like Apple's iPhone 4.

Oil prices fell a second straight day on Wednesday after economic and industry data fueled concerns about the pace of economic recovery and energy demand growth and also rising oil inventories.

Japan's Nissan Motor Co said on Tuesday it will spend $600 million to upgrade its plants in Mexico and start making three new low-cost cars there, positioning Mexico as its supply hub for the Americas markets.

Wal-Mart , the world's top retailer, will be ready to open hundreds of stores in India if the country opens up the sector to foreign direct investment, the chief of its Indian joint venture said.

Apple Inc plans to start selling the iPad tablet PC, its latest hit product, in nine new international markets on Friday, making the device available in a total of 19 countries.

Ford Motor Co has named Jim Farley its first head of global marketing, sales and services and appointed the head of Volvo to run its European operations when it completes the sale of the unit to China's Geely

U.S. crude oil futures hovered at around $76 a barrel on Monday as China's bigger-than-expected trade surplus in June eased worries about a slowdown for the global economic recovery and oil demand.

Banco Santander , Spain's biggest bank, is on the prowl for more acquisitions in Colombia and Peru as it presses ahead with its expansion across Latin America, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have chemically tested seafood from the oil spill-marred Gulf of Mexico and found them to be free from contaminants.

Oil rose to around $75 per barrel on Thursday, supported by firmer stock markets, U.S. jobless data and a report showing a fall in crude inventories in the United States, the world's biggest consumer.

Oil rose to around $75 per barrel on Thursday, supported by a rally in stock markets and an industry report showing a sharp fall in crude oil inventories in the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer.

Oil jumped to a one-week high above $75 on Thursday after earnings euphoria injected positive sentiment into Asian equities, reinforcing overnight gains triggered by an industry report showing U.S. crude inventories plunged last week.

Millions of gallons/liters of oil have spewed into the Gulf of Mexico since an April 20 explosion on a drilling rig triggered the worst spill in U.S. history.

Oil edged higher above $72 a barrel on Monday, rebounding from a 3-week low, but gains were capped by lingering concerns over slowing global economies and future demand for fuel. U.S. crude for August climbed as much as 56 cents to $72.70 a barrel on Monday and was up 27 cents at $72.41 by 4:50 a.m. ET.

Oil rebounded from three-week lows on Monday, staying above $72 as the market assessed the implications of a slowing global economic recovery on energy use. Rising stock markets in Asia prompted participants to cover short positions in a trading session where volumes were expected to be thin because of the U.S. Independence Day holiday.

The head of oil major Total warned of tougher safety rules that could push up crude prices as the first storm of the Atlantic hurricane season compounded the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Oil was steady around $73 on Friday, near 3-week lows after a spate of weak manufacturing data renewed worries about slower global economic growth ahead of a key U.S. jobs report. Manufacturing growth cooled around the world in June, reports from China, Europe and the U.S. showed on Thursday, adding to evidence that the global economic recovery is losing steam.