MARKETS / FINANCE

U.S. stock indexes pointed to a higher open on Thursday after Bank of America Corp said it would repay $45 billion in taxpayer bailout funds and data showed initial jobless claims fell last week.

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for jobless insurance unexpectedly fell last week to the lowest level in more than 14 months, government data showed on Thursday, pointing to a moderation in the pace of job losses.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday will push back at efforts to curb the Fed's power as he goes before lawmakers considering his nomination to a second term at the central bank's helm.

U.S. online job postings fell slightly in November, due to a dip in demand for health care-related positions and employers' continued unease regarding economic recovery, a private research group said on Thursday.

President Barack Obama turns his attention on Thursday from Afghanistan to the battle against unemployment which has sapped his popularity and may shape his political future.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday after Bank of America Corp said it would repay $45 billion in taxpayer bailout funds.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday after Bank of America Corp said it would repay $45 billion in taxpayer bailout funds.

Four British banks have a $5 billion combined exposure to Dubai World, making them the biggest foreign creditor group at the Dubai state-owned conglomerate, the Financial Times said on Thursday.

Comcast Corp struck a deal to buy a majority stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co, creating a media superpower that would control not just how TV shows and movies are made, but how they are delivered to the home.

U.S. credit card companies are targeting affluent consumers in a resurgence of marketing campaigns, as they recover from massive defaults by subprime borrowers in the past year.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.62 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.47 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.52 percent at 0900 GMT (4 a.m. EST).

The European Central Bank is set to begin the delicate process of phasing out its financial crisis support on Thursday, backed by new staff forecasts which should show greater economic optimism.

Bankruptcy courts cleared on Wednesday Ciena Corp's acquisition of a unit of bankrupt Nortel Networks Inc for $769 million after fighting off a legal challenge by Nokia Siemens Networks.

China's online game revenues are expected to hit 73.1 billion yuan ($10.7 billion) in three years, driven by growing Internet penetration in the world's most populous country, a research firm said in a report released Thursday.

China's online game revenues are expected to hit 73.1 billion yuan ($10.7 billion) in three years, driven by growing Internet penetration in the world's most populous country, a research firm said in a report released Thursday.

A group led by former Ford Motor Co executives has submitted a revised bid this week for Ford's Volvo unit and hopes to beat the offer by Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the situation.

American Airlines said it, Oneworld alliance members and private equity fund TPG would be willing to invest $1.1 billion in Japan Airlines to match a similar bid from rival Delta and the SkyTeam alliance.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is meeting with major investors in an effort to head off a possible investor backlash over its record bonuses, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Delta Air Lines said on Thursday that teaming up with a third party to support struggling Japan Airlines Corp, which is seeking a state bailout, was one option.

Federal Reserve officials sounded a relatively upbeat note on the U.S. economy on Wednesday, but warned timing withdrawal of the bank's extraordinary support for the economy will prove difficult.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Google unveiled a map of California's climate-changed future on Wednesday, part of the most populous U.S. state's first steps in planning to adapt to inevitable global warming.

The U.S. government has identified flaws in equipment from four companies, including Cisco Systems Inc , that hackers can exploit to break into corporate computer networks.

General Electric Co and Comcast Corp are set to announce a joint venture on Thursday morning that would give the cable company eventual control of NBC Universal in this year's biggest media deal.

The U.S. Federal Reserve must remain alert to lurking inflation risks, and could begin removing monetary stimulus by selling some of the mortgage debt it acquired during the financial crisis, a top central bank official said on Wednesday.

Ford Motor Co reintroduced the Fiesta small car to a U.S. audience on Wednesday after a three decade absence, a critical step in a turnaround that focuses on a revamped lineup to make a profit in 2011.

A federal judge has rejected Amazon.com Inc's request that he withdraw preliminary approval of a settlement between Google Inc and groups of authors and publishers to digitize millions of books.

Democrats want increased lending to small businesses and funding for shovel ready transportation projects included in a job-creation bill they hope to pass in Congress next month to address the high U.S. unemployment rate.

The Nasdaq rose on Wednesday as strong online holiday sales boosted shares of retailers, including Amazon.com , and relieved some concerns about the consumer.

General Motors Co's management team was surprised and saddened by the sudden departure of Chief Executive Fritz Henderson this week, GM's Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said on Wednesday.