New jobless claims fall 6,000 last week
The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell as expected last week and a measure of underlying labor market trends hit a 1-1/2 year low, a government report showed on Thursday.
Gold at 2-week high, PGMs rally on investment flow
Gold rose on Thursday to a two-week high and platinum group metals rallied to their highest in more than 20 months as fresh investment money poured into commodities.
Futures up on upbeat data from China, Europe
Stock index futures rose on Thursday as upbeat data from China and Europe fueled optimism the global economy is on track for growth.
Asian, European manufacturing picks up
Factories across Europe and Asia cranked up production in March, business surveys showed on Thursday, showing a strong recovery in fast-growing emerging markets taking root in the developed West.
Dai-ichi Life gains on debut after $11 billion IPO
Dai-ichi Life Insurance rose 14 percent on its debut on Thursday after pricing its $11 billion IPO at a discount to rivals, but investors remain wary of its growth prospects outside a mature Japanese market.
PIMCO sees Greece action ineffective; UK downgrade
PIMCO sees Europe's action on Greece as ineffective in fixing the country's problems, while Britain's sovereign debt rating could be downgraded within a year, a top executive of the world's largest bond fund said.
Hyundai March sales jump as U.S. sales hit record
March auto sales at Hyundai Motor Co jumped more than a third, thanks to new model launches and strong shipments from plants in China and India, it said on Thursday, sending its shares to a three-month high.
General Growth files exit proposal, auction rules
General Growth Properties Inc filed an eagerly awaited plan to exit bankruptcy on its own and laid out bidding procedures, setting the stage for others like Simon Property Group Inc to jump in with rival offers.
China factories crank up as demand rises
Factories in China and India cranked up production in March and Japanese business morale rose to its highest in more than a year on signs of improving global demand, boosting hopes for a sustainable economic recovery.
Stock futures signal gains; eyes on RIM
Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday for the first session of the quarter, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.54 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.49 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.52 percent at 3.41 a.m. ET.
CEO median pay edges lower in 2009: report
The median compensation for chief executives of 200 major U.S. companies fell marginally to $6.95 million in 2009, the Wall Street Journal said, citing an analysis by Hay Group management consultancy.
Panasonic sees extra profit boost from Sanyo: report
Japan's Panasonic Corp's purchase of Sanyo Electric is set to boost profits more than expected as they now plan additional cost savings by merging their accounting systems and procuring materials together, the Nikkei business daily said.
Special Report: iPad striptease: It's what's inside that counts
The iPad will not hit stores until Saturday, but the race to unlock its mysteries started several weeks ago in San Luis Obispo, a picturesque college town roughly 200 miles south of Apple's Silicon Valley headquarters.
Asian stocks hit 11-week high; technology leads
Asian stocks rose to an 11-week high on Thursday as China's manufacturing industry picked up and foreign buying boosted the technology-heavy markets of Taiwan and South Korea.
Does what you eat affect your mood?
We all know some of the not-so-old wives tales about how food affects our mood. Perhaps it's the stimulating effect of the day's first double espresso, the contentment you feel after eating bangers and mash, or the simple fact that chocolate makes your world go 'round.
Asian stocks in solid Q2 start, technology leads
Asian stocks made a solid start to the second quarter on Thursday inching closer to two-month highs as China's manufacturing sector picked up and foreign buying boosted tech shares in Taiwan and South Korea.
Is fruit juice worse for your teeth than soft drink?
Many of us resist soft drinks, cakes and other sugary treats to keep tooth decay at bay. With this in mind, many of us reach for a glass of juice rather than a can of soft drink. But is this really any better for your teeth?
Disney Miramax deadline delayed, parties mull bids
The Weinstein Co, and billionaire brothers Alec and Tom Gores continued to weigh offers on Wednesday for Walt Disney Co's Miramax unit as the media giant pushed back the bid deadline, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
Amazon, publishers strike e-book pricing deal: report
Online retailer Amazon.com Inc has struck deals with two publishers on the pricing of electronic books, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Breakthrough design opens door to 'full screen' Braille displays for the blind
Right now, electronic Braille displays typically only show one line of text at a time. And they're very expensive, says Dr. Neil Di Spigna, a research assistant professor at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the research.
Lockheed, Boeing, others see health reform charges
Lockheed Martin Corp , Boeing Co , Goodrich Corp and Ingersoll-Rand Plc on Wednesday joined a growing list of companies that plan to book charges related to U.S. healthcare reform.
Publishers bet future on iPad they haven't yet seen
Publishers are placing big bets that Apple Inc's iPad will kick-start a commercially viable transition to digital magazines and newspapers -- even though few executives have laid hands on the tablet ahead of launch.
Conquering the fear of going to the dentist
A visit to the dentist provokes extreme fear and anxiety in an estimated one in 20 people, and can put them off going altogether, a condition termed odontophobia. And up to a third of patients report moderate anxiety at the prospect of dental treatment, studies show.
Forex - Bank of Canada: high inflation may be temporary
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday emphasized the temporary nature of February's high inflation, a figure that has raised market expectations of an interest rate increase. Paul Jenkins, senior deputy governor at the bank, warned against reading too much into a single number and said the central bank must try to understand the real forces pushing prices higher.
Forex - Treasury's Geithner says US economy slowly on mend
The U.S. economy is still in a tough spot but is gradually regaining its balance after a series of policy mistakes that made the country weaker and less secure, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday. We are coming back, and we are coming back faster and stronger than most people predicted -- faster and stronger than Europe and Japan, Geithner said after meeting with steel executives and union leaders here.
Brazil c.bank director quits, Meirelles undecided
The director of economic policy at Brazil's central bank stepped down on Wednesday, kicking off a shuffle of the bank's board that could also include its president, Henrique Meirelles. Mario Mesquita, one of the strongest advocates of the central bank's inflation-targeting regime, left for personal reasons, the bank said in a statement. His departure had been rumored for months and was widely expected.
Forex - New Zealand dollar overvalued 10-25 pct - IMF
The New Zealand dollar is currently overvalued by 10 to 25 percent, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday. In a statement at the end of consultations with authorities, the IMF said the overvaluation of the currency may be temporary and the exchange rate may depreciate as the interest rate differential narrows with eventual tightening by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Geithner confident China will move on currency
PITTSBURGH, March 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner expressed confidence on Wednesday that China will decide it is in its interest to make its yuan currency more flexible, but did not say when that might happen.
Morgan Stanley sues former St Louis complex manager
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is suing a former St. Louis-based brokerage manager after he defected to rival Wells Fargo Advisors last Friday.
Dow Chemical CEO pay up 16 percent for 2009
Dow Chemical Co Chief Executive Andrew Liveris' total compensation jumped 16 percent for 2009, when the chemical maker bought rival Rohm & Haas and its stock nearly doubled, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.