IBT Staff Reporter

Water scarcity means big growth for companies that purify, transport, and distribute the world's most essential resource, but a global recession that has halted new projects and put off price hikes means water investors will have to wait for the boom years.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday as JPMorgan Chase & Co reassured some investors about the health of banks after it reported better-than-expected quarterly results and following several reassuring reports on the technology sector.

Scientists in Singapore say they have found a way to turn planet-warming carbon dioxide into clean-burning methanol using a process that uses less energy than previous attempts.

New U.S. housing starts fell in March after a surprise surge the previous month, government data showed on Thursday, dealing a blow to hopes that housing market stability was on the horizon.

New U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in March after a surprise surge the previous month, government data showed on Thursday, dealing a blow to hopes that housing market stability was on the horizon.

JPMorgan Chase & Co reported better-than-expected first-quarter profit on Thursday as improved investment banking performance offset increased losses from credit cards and other consumer debt.

New U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in March after a surprise surge the previous month, government data showed on Thursday, dealing a blow to hopes that housing market stability was on the horizon.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday after top cell phone maker Nokia reassured investors by reaffirming its handset market forecast and a report said that Sun Microsystems Inc is willing to resume takeover talks with IBM .

More than half of U.S. adults used the Internet to participate in the 2008 election -- the first time that threshold has been crossed, according to a study released Wednesday.

The world's top cell phone maker Nokia calmed jittery investors on Thursday by reaffirming its forecast for the handset market and saying visibility was improving, sending its shares higher.

Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding brushed off the downturn in the first quarter, posting a 7 percent rise in sales led by cancer medicine Avastin, and sounded a confident note for the full year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co reported better-than-expected first-quarter profit on Thursday, as improved investment banking performance offset an increase in losses from credit cards and other consumer debt.

The world's top cell phone maker Nokia calmed jittery investors on Thursday by reaffirming its forecast for the handset market and saying visibility was improving, sending its shares higher.

JPMorgan Chase & Co

Stock futures pointed to a lower open on Thursday after the bankruptcy of General Growth Properties offset better-than-expected quarterly earnings from JPMorgan Chase & Co .

JPMorgan Chase & Co

Mutual fund companies including BlackRock Inc are asking the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to review rules for participating in the Federal Reserve's TALF program to boost lending, the New York Post said, citing sources.

U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower open on Thursday after the bankruptcy of General Growth Properties offset better-than-expected quarterly earnings from JPMorgan Chase & Co .

JPMorgan Chase & Co said on Thursday first-quarter profit fell, as the deepening recession and rising unemployment forced it to set aside more money against losses in its consumer banking business.

World stocks eked out small gains on Thursday as mixed data from China and the United States reminded investors of the fragility of rebounding economies and markets.

China struggled out of the gate this year with its weakest quarter on record, but a pick-up in March showed the world's third-largest economy was on track for stronger growth in coming months.

Brewing giant SABMiller sold less beer than expected in the first three months of 2009 as economic conditions worsened and demand fell in most of its markets, sending its shares lower in early trade.

The world's top cellphone maker Nokia reported on Thursday a sharp fall in January-March sales and profits as the economic downturn sapped demand for new phones.

American International Group Inc is close to selling its U.S. auto insurance business to Swiss insurer Zurich Financial Services for roughly $1.5 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Brewing giant SABMiller sold less beer than expected in the first three months of 2009 as economic conditions worsened and demand fell in most of its markets.

Asian stocks pulled back from a six-month high on Thursday, while the safe-haven yen jumped against major currencies after China posted its slowest quarterly growth ever in a reminder of the frailty of the global economy.

eBay plans to spin off its Skype unit, acknowledging that the Web telephone service does not fit with the rest of the company, in an indictment of former CEO Meg Whitman's acquisition strategy.

With three rounds of layoffs announced since the year began, Google Inc is showing rare signs of vulnerability.

South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd posted a second straight quarter of losses due to weak LCD prices, but forecast a pick-up in prices and shipments as the industry recovers from a steep downturn.