Analysts are positively disposed toward Hewlett-Packard's move to acquire 3Com for $2.7 billion in cash, as the networker's shares soar ahead of the opening bell.

  A roundup of business and financial stories breaking before the opening bell on Wall Street.

  Israeli stocks were mixed on Thursday, with strength in Israel Chemicals offset by Africa-Israel, the telecoms and Teva Pharmaceutical.

  The number of people filing initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 12,000 in the week ended Nov. 7, the Labor Department reports.

  Telefonica SA, Europe’s second-largest phone company,reports a 0.6% fall in profit in the third quarter.

  BT Group and British Airways outperformed a steady British equity market on Thursday, as investors welcomed earnings from the fixed-line-telecom operator while pushing up shares of the airline amid speculation that it could be close to signing a deal with Iberia.

  An agreement to merge British Airways with Iberia looks imminent, as boards of both groups say they are holding talks to weigh a deal.

  Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday’s session are Alliant Techsystems, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Applied Materials, Computer Sciences, Greenbrier, Kohl’s, Nash Finch, 3Com, Urban Outfitters, and Wal-Mart.

  The U.K. telecom steps up its cost-cutting plans as the group's troubled enterprise division sees improving profit.

  United Technologies Corp. said Thursday it is going to buy the security business of General Electric Co. for $1.8 billion, strengthening is North America position and expanding its product portfolio.