MARKETS / FINANCE

British bank Barclays confirmed on Friday that it had agreed to sell its BGI investment arm to U.S. firm BlackRock for $13.5 billion, creating the world's biggest asset manager.

Oil prices slid toward $72 a barrel on Friday, as investors locked in gains from a near eight-month high settlement a day ago, but stronger-than-expected China factory output and retail sales data lent support.

Oil prices fell toward $72 a barrel on Friday, as investors locked in gains from a near eight-month high settlement a day ago, but stronger-than-expected China factory output and retail sales data lent support.

BlackRock Inc. , the giant U.S. money manager, said on Thursday that it will buy Barclays Global Investors in a cash and share deal that will turn it into the world's biggest asset manager.

Antivirus companies Symantec and McAfee have agreed to pay fines of US$375,000 to settle charges that they automatically charged customers software subscription renewal fees without their permission.

Microsoft has confirmed the news about the report that Windows 7 will debut in European countries without its Internet Explorer 8 web browser, causing a stir of questions and uproar from prospective buyers.

BlackRock Inc. , the giant U.S. money manager, said on Thursday it will buy Barclays Global Investors for $13.5 billion in a deal that will make it the world's biggest asset manager.

Sony Electronics introduces its new industrial XCG series, with four series cameras in different ultra-high resolution, and frame rates to match a variety of machine vision and security applications with extreme low-light conditions.

AIG, days before a high-profile legal fight with a company controlled by former CEO Maurice Greenberg heads to court, promised to use any funds won at trial to repay U.S. taxpayers.

U.S. lawmakers accused the Treasury and Federal Reserve on Thursday of using threats to force Bank of America to take over Merrill Lynch while criticizing Bank of America boss Ken Lewis for keeping shareholders in the dark about rising losses at Merrill.

Microsoft is planning to reveal its new antivirus with a code ‘Morro’ serving Windows end-user for free.

Dear Sam: I am getting very discouraged as my résumé is not generating responses. I have sent out close to 800 applications in the past 2 months and not one has resulted in an interview, only countless letters that my information was received, would be reviewed, and I would be contacted if I was a good fit.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s borrowings balance has decreased as banks borrow less from the central bank, signs suggesting the economy is easing.

WD Unveils World's First 4 TB External HardDrive Western Digital unveils the World first 4 TB external storage, with new My Book Studio II dual-drive storage, a Perfect Blend of High Performance and Power Conservation, which cost $649.99.

Sony Corporation on Thursday said it introduced its mercury-free alkaline button battery, which is commonly used in cameras, remote controls and calculators, the alkaline manganese.

U.S. stocks racked up gains across a wide array of sectors on Thursday, aided by rising commodity prices and improving labor market conditions, along with a sharp drop in interest rates.

U.S. retail sales rose in May for the first time in three months and the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits last week hit a January low, fostering hope the recession was abating.

U.S. stocks racked up gains across a wide array of sectors on Thursday, aided by rising commodity prices and improving labor market conditions, along with a sharp drop in interest rates.

U.S. lawmakers accused the Treasury and Federal Reserve on Thursday of using threats and intimidation to force Bank of America to take over Merrill Lynch, a charge Bank of America Chief Executive Ken Lewis denied.

U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, but were off their session highs, aided by rising commodity prices and improving labor market conditions, along with a sharp drop in interest rates. Earlier, after the government's 30-year bond auction met solid demand, all three stock indexes had risen above 1 percent.

Private equity firm Riverstone Holdings LLC agreed to pay $30 million to resolve its role in a corruption probe of New York state's pension fund, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday.

A proposed $586 million settlement to end investor lawsuits over the pricing of initial public offerings during the late 1990s stock market boom has won preliminary approval from a federal judge.

Oil prices extended a three-day rally to above $73 a barrel on Thursday on hopes for a recovery in world energy demand and worries refinery shutdowns could tighten U.S. gasoline supplies before summer driving season.

U.S retail sales rose for the first time in three months in May and the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits last week hit the lowest level since January, fostering hope the recession was abating.

Bank of America Corp. chief executive testified on Thursday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as they probed the bank’s purchase of Merrill Lynch

Stocks rose on Thursday as rising oil and other commodity prices lifted energy stocks, while retail sales and weekly jobless claims data bolstered optimism for an economic recovery.

U.S. retail sales rose for the first time in three months in May and the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits last week hit the lowest level since January, suggesting the recession was abating.

U.S. retail sales rose for the first time in three months in May and the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits last week hit the lowest level since January, suggesting the recession was abating.

U.S. lawmakers accused the Treasury and Federal Reserve on Thursday of using threats and intimidation to force Bank of America to take over Merrill Lynch, a charge Bank of America Chief Executive Ken Lewis denied.