MARKETS / FINANCE

Online deal site Groupon is still privately held but retail investors might soon be able to own a piece of it, judging by other startups in which mutual funds run by T Rowe Price Group have invested.

Facebook surpassed Google for the first time as the most visited website in the United States for most of 2010.

A powerful virus targeting smart phones in China running Google Inc's Android operating system may represent the most sophisticated bug to target mobile devices to date, security researchers said on Thursday.

Corrects date of filings to September 30 in 7th paragraph and name of fund in last paragraph to New Horizons)

The state of Minnesota sued 3M Co on Thursday, saying that the company contaminated the state's waters for decades with chemicals used in some of its best known products, including Scotchgard stain repellent.

U.S. stocks closed slightly lower on Thursday as a trio of better-than-expected economic data wasn't enough to entice buyers to take on much risk in a market sitting on strong gains just before the new year.

Web advertising firm Groupon Inc, considered one of the fastest growing Internet companies in history, has raised $500 million by selling an equity stake, a month after reports that it turned down a $6 billion takeover offer from Google Inc.

The dollar's share of known global currency reserves slipped in the third quarter, while total central bank holdings hit a record $9 trillion, International Monetary Fund data showed on Thursday.

Online discount coupon provider Groupon Inc is working toward a potential public offering of its common shares by the end of 2011, the New York Times said, citing people briefed on the matter.

(Corrects first and last paragraphs to show that DreamWorks Animation raised $500 million in 1995, not Pixar)

Groupon Inc, the fast-growing online coupon seller, has been authorized to raise up to $950 million in what would be the biggest round of equity financing by any company since DreamWorks Animation in 1995.

Upbeat U.S. data on the jobs market and manufacturing sector Thursday buttressed the view the economy gained momentum as the year ended, setting the stage for a stronger performance in 2011.

When Democrat Andrew Cuomo becomes New York governor on Saturday he inherits a $10 billion budget deficit, a notoriously corrupt political system and the legacy of his father, the popular former Governor Mario Cuomo.

Former Obama administration auto industry czar Steven Rattner agreed to pay $10 million to resolve lawsuits by New York's attorney general over kickbacks allegedly paid to do business with the state's pension fund.

Web advertising firm Groupon Inc, considered one of the fastest growing Internet companies in history, has raised $500 million by selling an equity stake, a month after reports that it turned down a $6 billion takeover offer from Google Inc.

U.S. stocks edged lower on Thursday as the recent rally and light volume left investors reluctant to take on much more risk before the new year.

The European Union should set up a permanent mechanism to resolve sovereign debt problems sooner than the planned 2013, European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said on Thursday.

Irish domestic banks' reliance on funding from the European Central Bank rose significantly in November, completed figures for the month showed on Thursday.

The United States is losing its appeal as leading global center for stock market flotations, hit by restrictive regulations and competition from other financial centres, a survey of American lawyers showed on Thursday.

The dollar weakened broadly on Thursday on expectations of low bond yields continuing into 2011, while U.S. and European stocks gave back part of the recent gains that had taken global equities close to September 2008 highs.

Contracts for pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose faster than expected in November, though sales remained below normal activity levels, a real estate trade group said on Thursday.

OPEC output has risen slightly in December as Nigerian supply has increased, a Reuters survey found, indicating the group has yet to boost production substantially in response to prices at a 26-month high.

New claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week to touch their lowest level in more than two years, suggesting the labor market recovery was gaining strength.

New claims for jobless aid hit their lowest level in more than two years last week and factory activity in the Midwest grew in December at its fast pace since 1988, evidence the recovery was gaining steam.

U.S. stocks were poised for a flat open on Thursday after data on the labor market was better-than-expected but showed the overall employment picture remained soft.

New claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week to their lowest level in more than two years, suggesting the labor market recovery was gaining strength.

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors awaited economic data for insight on the strength of the economic recovery heading into 2011.

Carlyle Group has sold a 2.5 percent stake worth around $860 million in China Pacific Insurance Co Ltd <2601.HK>, sources said, helping the buyout fund recoup its investment in what could be one of its best Asian deals to date.