UNITED STATES

Hedge funds are at the top of a list of financial career categories with fewer job postings compared to a year ago in the United States.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless aid edged up by a slim 1,000 last week and a gauge of underlying labor market trends hit a nearly 16-month low, evidence the job market continues to heal.

U.S. retailers posted better-than-expected December sales, and many raised profit forecasts as they benefited from a late holiday shopping surge and discounts that were more modest than a year ago.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) and U.S. group Sempra Energy (SRE.N) have received a trio of bids worth about $4 billion for their commodities joint venture, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Japan's new finance minister, Naoto Kan, said he expected a state-backed fund to support Japan Airlines (9205.T), fuelling growing expectations that Asia's largest carrier by revenue will be bailed out with public money

Stocks were down on Thursday alongside weak global markets as the U.S. dollar strengthened after the government reported a slight increase in initial jobless claims.

Lennar Corp posted its first quarterly profit in almost three years, helped mainly by a tax benefit, and the news drove up its shares and those of other large homebuilders.

Prospective bidders in Sweden, Luxembourg and the Netherlands were making last-ditch efforts on Thursday to buy Saab, hours before a deadline set by owner General Motors to either sell or close the Swedish carmaker.

Bidders in Sweden, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are making last-ditch efforts on Thursday to buy General Motors -owned Saab, as the deadline for its sale loomed, threatening the Swedish car brand with closure.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Thursday alongside weak global markets as the dollar rallied after the government reported initial jobless claims rose less than expected.

Future hazy as Google makes waves; China sued over Internet filter; Fed sees jobs turnaround

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance rose less than expected last week and a measure of underlying trends hit a nearly 16-month low, underscoring the improving labor market tone.

U.S. retailers including Macy's Inc and Aeropostale posted higher December sales and raised profit forecasts as they carefully managed promotions to lure shoppers during the holidays.

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance rose less than expected last week and a measure of underlying trends hit a nearly 16-month low, government data showed on Thursday, underscoring the improving labor market tone.

Stock index futures dipped on Thursday along with global markets, as investors awaited data expected to show a rise in initial jobless claims, one day before the closely watched monthly non-farm payrolls report.

Stock index futures dipped on Thursday along with global markets, as investors awaited data expected to show a rise in initial jobless claims, one day before the closely watched monthly non-farm payrolls report.

Cadbury shares dipped below Kraft Foods' 10.6 billion-pound ($17 billion) bid price for the first time on Thursday as prospects of a rival bid receded and analysts reckoned Kraft now needed only to slightly sweeten its offer to win.

Japan's Panasonic Corp and DirecTV Group, the top U.S. satellite TV provider, will together launch three high-definition 3D channels by June to try and jump-start demand for 3D TVs and content.

The smoke has finally cleared on Google Inc's highly anticipated Nexus One smartphone, but the ramifications of the Internet company's new role as a mobile phone vendor are still hazy.

Sony Corp said flat-screen televisions, electronic readers and Blu-ray video players helped its U.S. holiday season sales top expectations, in a rare sign of encouragement for the Japanese conglomerate.

Costco Wholesale Corp on Thursday reported a better-than-expected nine percent rise in December sales at stores open at least a year, helped by an increase in gasoline prices and stronger foreign currencies.