NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were set to open higher on Friday as strong earnings from companies, including Microsoft Corp, and a speedy agreement on a U.S. economic stimulus package helped lift investor confidence.
LONDON (Reuters) - Carlsberg and Heineken on Friday finally agreed a cash bid of 7.8 billion pounds ($15.3 billion) to buy and break up Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) to boost the Danish brewer's position in Russia and the Dutch group's presence in western Europe.
BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer Honeywell International Inc said quarterly profit rose nearly 18 percent, with sales up across all its units, sparking a 4 percent rise in the stock in early trading.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc awarded Chief Executive Vikram Pandit $26.7 million of shares and 3 million stock options, six weeks after he took over the largest U.S. bank, and a week after reporting a record $9.83 billion quarterly loss.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire Wilbur Ross is in serious talks to take over Ambac Financial Group Inc , according to a media report, but broader efforts to rescue the sector will take some time, a New York state regulator said on Thursday.
PARIS (Reuters) - France stepped up efforts to restore confidence in the banking system as Societe Generale faced tough questions on Friday over why it failed to prevent the biggest financial dealing scandal in history.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc. said on Friday its profit in the latest quarter rose more than 10 percent as strong international mining, energy and construction sales offset a decline in U.S. equipment and engine sales.
LONDON (Reuters) - Oil rose to above $90 a barrel on Friday, lifted by a broader stock market rally as the United States confirmed an economic stimulus plan to ward off a recession in the world's top energy consumer.
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Reuters Group Plc expects to deliver signature 2007 results and has seen a good start to 2008 with no signs of major weakness in the U.S. markets, Chief Executive Tom Glocer said on Friday.
