NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures briefly pared losses on Thursday after weekly jobless data showed the number of U.S. workers filing new benefit claims fell for the second week in a row.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless insurance fell for the second week in a row and the four-week moving average of claims was the lowest in nearly a year, government data showed on Thursday, pointing to improvements in the labor market.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc reported a higher quarterly profit as the world's biggest retailer clamped down on inventory and controlled expenses, but forecast earnings over the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates.
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner offered fresh reassurances to Asian nations that the Obama administration was committed to a strong dollar and to actions aimed at bolstering its value.
NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co is making a move into the network equipment market by striking a $3.1 billion deal for 3Com Corp, in a major challenge to Cisco Systems Inc.
LONDON/MADRID (Reuters) - The boards of British Airways and Spain's Iberia were holding separate meetings on Thursday to consider a potential merger to create the world's third largest airline by revenue, the two airlines said.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Department store operator Kohl's Corp reported a larger-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday, but gave an outlook below Wall Street estimates for the period that includes the key holiday season.
(Reuters) - The White House is looking to cut its budget deficit by using some unspent funds from the U.S. government's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Activision Blizzard Inc said it sold 4.7 million copies of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2", or $310 million of sales, on its first day, setting a new record for the video game industry.
LONDON (Reuters) - Oil dipped below $79 a barrel on Thursday as an expected hike in U.S. crude stocks and a rise in the dollar from 15-month lows outweighed an IEA report that said global oil demand will return to growth this quarter.
