Oil over $44 after Russian fire, awaits U.S. data
U.S. crude oil futures jumped more than $2 to above $43 per barrel on Wednesday, after an oil leak and fire on a Russian pipeline disrupted exports.
Scotiabank buys UBS Energy assets
Canadian Scotiabank on Wednesday said it has acquired select assets and 60 employees from UBS Energy, including trading technology.
Iran missiles can reach Israel atom sites: commander
Iranian missiles can reach Israeli nuclear sites and Tehran will respond firmly to any attack, a top commander said on Wednesday.
U.S. private sector bleeds jobs, services slump deepens
U.S. private companies hemorrhaged nearly 700,000 jobs in February and the service sector slump deepened as the year-old recession showed little sign of abating, according to data released on Wednesday.
Afghan election body says April poll not possible
Presidential polls in Afghanistan cannot be held next month as demanded by President Hamid Karzai and August 20 must remain the polling day as originally scheduled, the election commission said.
Google to spend $200 mln at new Finnish site
HELSINKI - Google said on Wednesday it would spend 160 million euros ($200 million) on building a new data centre at the site of an old paper mill in southeastern Finland.
Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai calls for end to sanctions
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday made his first call for an end to international sanctions, part of his bid to start rebuilding the shattered economy.
GE shares fall 15 percent to below $6
General Electric Co's shares fell more than 15 percent on Wednesday, trading below $6 for the first time since 1991, as investors' anxiety about its hefty GE Capital arm continued to swirl.
GE shares fall 15 percent to dip below $6
General Electric Co's shares fell more than 15 percent on Wednesday, trading below $6 for the first time since 1991, as investors' anxiety about its hefty GE Capital arm continued to swirl.
China oil majors covet Africa-focused Tullow Oil
HONG KONG - Tullow Oil is the latest Africa-focused energy firm to draw Chinese takeover interest, but the $8 billion oil and gas independent, emboldened by its prospects, has snubbed potential buyers, dealmakers say.
North Korea missile launch not imminent, says South
A North Korean missile launch may not come for some time although the communist state has been preparing its longest-range rocket for a test flight, South Korea's unification minister said on Wednesday.
State deals made up record part of M&A in February
Purchases by governments and state-backed firms made up a record proportion of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in February, underscoring how the financial crisis has sidelined private-sector buyers.
Hague court issues warrant for Sudan's Bashir
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Wednesday for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
Oil and China optimism lifts Wall St. at open
Stocks rose at the open on Wednesday after a sell-off the previous session left indexes at 12-year lows, with a jump in the price of oil and other commodities spurring energy and natural resource stocks.
Amazon allows Kindle access from iPhone
Amazon.com is offering a new application to let consumers access books on its electronic reader Kindle from Apple Inc's popular iPhone and iPod Touch devices.
Maths too hard? Pay French homework website to do it
You can't do it? We're here to help, says the homepage of a new French website where children can pay for older students to do homework for them.
Oil and China optimism to lift Wall St. at open
Stocks headed for a sharp rebound at the open on Wednesday after a sell-off the previous session left indexes at 12-year lows, with a jump in the price of oil and other commodities spurring energy and natural resource stocks.
Profit down at Costco, BJ's posts a gain
An aggressive effort to win market share by slashing prices took a toll on Costco Wholesale Corp as the No. 1 U.S. warehouse club posted lower quarterly profit the same day smaller rival BJ's Wholesale Club Inc reported better-than-expected results.
EU carbon scheme not hurt by low prices, yet
Falling carbon prices have raised questions about the credibility of the European Union's flagship trading scheme as the bloc's main weapon to fight global warming.
U.S. private sector cuts 697,000 jobs in February
U.S. private sector job losses accelerated in February, according to a report by ADP Employer Services on Wednesday that came in worse than economists' expectations.
Stock futures rise on oil gains, China optimism
U.S. index stock futures pointed to a higher wall street open on Wednesday as a jump in the price of oil and other commodities spurred a rebound in energy and natural resource stocks.
U.S. mortgage demand off before Obama rescue details
Applications for loans to buy U.S. homes and to refinance existing mortgages fell for the second straight week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday, as consumers awaited for specific details on President Barack Obama's housing stimulus plan.
One in five U.S. mortgage borrowers are underwater
One in five U.S. homeowners with mortgages owe more to their lenders than their homes are worth, and the rate will increase as housing prices drop in states that have so far avoided the worst of the crisis, a new study shows.
BJ's Wholesale quarterly profit rises
BJ's Wholesale Club Inc reported a better-than-expected rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday after as shoppers headed to its clubs for low prices on staples like fresh food, prepared meals and paper towels.
Costco and Big Lots post lower quarterly profits
U.S. retailers Costco Wholesale Corp and Big Lots reported lower quarterly profit on Wednesday as cautious shoppers avoided splurging on discretionary items, like furniture or jewelry, and stuck to buying basics, like food.
Several potential bidders for GM's Saab: sources
General Motors' Saab brand has received interest from several potential bidders including China's Geely Automobile and Dongfeng Motor Group , sources with direct knowledge of the sales process said on Tuesday.
EU exec amends Microsoft antitrust monitoring
The European Commission said on Wednesday that it would use ad hoc technical consultants instead of a monitoring trustee to ensure software giant Microsoft complied with a 2004 antitrust decision.
Oil over $42, eyes China recovery, OPEC cuts
U.S. crude oil futures jumped more than $1 toward $43 per barrel on Wednesday, supported by better economic news from China and expectations by some traders that OPEC oil producers may further cut output.
Global stocks rise after heavy loss
World stocks clawed their way back up from multi-year lows on Wednesday as investors sought bargains after three days of steep losses brought on by deep fears for the world economy and financial system.
Costco profit drops 27 percent
Costco Wholesale Corp said on Wednesday its second-quarter profit fell 27 percent, as the No.1 U.S. warehouse club operator cut prices to win market share during the year-end holiday season.