Autos & Transport
GE confirms plans to exit appliance business
BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co confirmed on Friday it may sell or spin off its century-old appliances unit, saying the business was too focused on the United States. Full Article
BA braces for turbulent year ahead
LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways is braced for a turbulent year with fuel costs set to rise 1 billion pounds, but raised hopes it could manage by lifting profits 45 percent and paying its first dividend since 2001. Full Article
UPDATE 2-Bridgestone, Toyo Tire form alliance in tougher times
TOKYO, May 16 (Reuters) - Japan's Bridgestone Corp said on Friday it was forming a strategic alliance with rival Toyo Tire & Rubber Co , including capital ties, aimed at coping with high materials prices and intensifying competition. Full Article
Michelin shares rise, sticks to '08 profit guidance
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (Reuters) - Michelin reiterated on Friday its guidance that 2008 profits would be flat due to a weak dollar and high commodity prices, boosting the French tiremaker's shares. Full Article
Netherlands postpones opening mail market, TNT gains
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch government is to postpone for a second time opening the mail market because of uncertainties over a level playing field in Germany and industry labour conditions at home, the Economy Ministry said on Friday. Full Article
TNT up as clarity on Dutch mail market nears
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Shares in Dutch mail company TNT NV rose 2 percent on Friday after a newspaper reported parliament backs liberalisation of the Dutch mail market as of July 1, causing relief among investors. Full Article
Advanced Auto stock surges on earnings
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Shares of Advance Auto Parts Inc surged nearly 13 percent on Friday after the company, the country's second largest vehicle parts retailer, reported better-than-expected earnings. Full Article
Beazer posts wider first and second quarter losses
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Beazer Homes USA , operating under federal investigations and amid a downturn in the U.S. housing market, on Thursday released its last remaining financial statements of past quarters, posting widening losses. Full Article
British Energy gets bid approaches, shares jump
LONDON (Reuters) - The UK's biggest electricity producer, British Energy , said on Friday it has received several takeover proposals which value it at more than 10.8 billion pounds ($21 billion). Full Article
Lockheed wins potential $3.6 bln US GPS satellite deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp won a potential $3.6 billion contract to start building a new generation of global positioning satellites that will boost accuracy for worldwide users, the Air Force said Thursday. Full Article
Kier says home reservations down 35 pct
LONDON (Reuters) - Construction, housebuilding and maintenance firm Kier said on Friday home reservation levels were currently down 35 percent year-on-year, as market conditions have deteriorated further in the last two months. Full Article
United in alliance talks with Continental--sources
NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Airlines has begun talks with Continental Airlines Inc for a possible alliance even as its merger talks with US Airways continue to advance, sources briefed on the matter said. Full Article
| Symbol | Bid | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| BRENT CRUDE | $124.66 | $124.71 |
| MINI GOLD | $898.00 | $898.40 |
| MINI SILVER | $16.95 | $16.96 |
