UNITED STATES

Constellation Brands Inc forecast full-year results below Wall Street estimates, reflecting its concerns about lackluster consumer spending on its alcoholic drinks and a frayed joint venture with Mexico's Grupo Modelo, sending shares down 4.6 percent.

Aetna Inc is suspending marketing to and enrollment of new members to its Medicare plans for the elderly because of sanctions imposed by the U.S. government, the health insurer said on Friday.

Wholesale inventories rose more than expected in February and sales climbed to their highest level since October 2008, according to a government report on Friday that pointed to manufacturing strength.

U.S. safety regulators are investigating a potential for brake failure in General Motors Co vehicles that could affect up to 6 million trucks and SUVs sold from the model years 1999 through 2003.

Energy shares drove U.S. stocks higher on Friday as India's largest listed company will form a joint venture with independent gas company Atlas Energy, while conflicting news on debt-laden Greece kept a lid on gains.

Switzerland-based FZ Sonick SA favours energy storage over private electric vehicles to provide the boom market for salt battery production, the recently formed company's managing director said on Thursday.

McDonald's Corp Chief Executive Jim Skinner received 2009 compensation of $17.6 million, more than double his 2007 pay, largely fueled by a performance-related bonus paid out every three years, the company said on Friday.

Swiss banking giant UBS faces a turbulent shareholder meeting as activist investors prepare to reject the bank's bonus scheme, as well as plans to discharge former executives from responsibilities in the credit crisis.

Circle K and Mac's convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard said on Friday that it had offered to buy Casey's General Stores for $36 a share in cash.

The private equity owners of Toys R Us are weighing an initial public offering for the retailer, sources familiar with the situation said on Friday.

Stocks rose on Friday, led by a rise in energy shares, as the U.S. dollar retreated against the euro amid speculation that debt-laden Greece would grab a financial lifeline.

Fewer Canadians returned to work in March than expected, but the three-month hiring trend was the strongest since the financial crisis intensified in the autumn of 2008, suggesting the recovery is entrenched.

Coal miner Massey Energy Co , owner of the Upper Big Branch mine where at least 25 miners died in a blast this week, said it was working to increase production at its other mines to mitigate losses at UBB.

(Reuters) - Sugar is being unfairly blamed for obesity problems in the United States at a time when per capita consumption of sweeteners has declined over the past decade, the head of an industry group complained on Wednesday.

(Reuters) - Fourteen states and the District of Columbia raised cigarette taxes in 2009, but none of the new money went to programs to cut smoking and prevent tobacco-related disease, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.

The world's largest cellphone maker Nokia said on Friday it had bought U.S. geographic technology firm MetaCarta, as a part of its strategy to offer local navigation services to its customers.

Alcoholic drinks maker Constellation Brands Inc reported a higher than expected quarterly adjusted profit on Friday, as higher wine and vodka sales made up for weak imported beer sales, but forecast full-year earnings that would fall short of Wall Street estimates.

For almost three decades Dr. Dre has been a trendsetter in the U.S. music industry, through his recordings with gangsta rappers N.W.A. and later as a producer and record executive who helped launch the careers of Eminem, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.

Spring could signal a rebirth for the long suffering U.S. housing market even as the economy's weakest link is stripped of government life support.

Fannie Mae did not abandon its goals of increasing homeownership for poorer Americans in pursuit of higher profits, as some have alleged, said Daniel Mudd, the chief executive of the company who was ousted by the government in 2008.

Countries with history of BSE-infected cows wanting to export beef to Australia will have to prove that they have a sufficient traceability system, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.