NEWS

Sumner Redstone's National Amusements has received interest from strategic rivals and private equity firms for its U.S. and U.K. theater chains, two sources with knowledge of the auction said.

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he has not spoken recently with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp , which on Thursday warned a change in control of the company could cause a debt default for the studio that has become a focus of Icahn's hostile overtures.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he has not recently spoken with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp , which on Thursday warned that a change in control of the company could cause a debt default.

Wall Street faces curbs on risk taking and the prospect of lower profits under sweeping U.S. proposals to prevent a repeat of the credit crisis.

Best Buy Co posted a 23 percent drop in quarterly profit, but its shares rose after the retailer's adjusted results topped Wall Street estimates, and it forecast full-year profit above expectations as it benefits from the closure of former rival Circuit City.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

The New York Times Co laid off 100 employees on Thursday and cut salaries for the rest of the year by 5 percent, and said it might cut newsroom jobs at its namesake newspaper if it cannot get union employees to agree to a similar cut.

Stocks rose for a second straight day on Thursday on continued optimism the U.S. recession may be easing, as fourth-quarter economic data and weekly jobless claims that were in line with expectations kept the focus on positive signs earlier in the week.

Stocks rose for a second straight day on Thursday on continued optimism the U.S. recession may be easing, as fourth-quarter economic data and weekly jobless claims that were in line with expectations kept the focus on positive signs earlier in the week.

Stocks rose on Thursday as investors bet the U.S. economic downturn may be easing following reports on fourth-quarter economic growth and weekly jobless claims that landed roughly in line with expectations.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday called for broad reforms to curb risk taking on Wall Street, including a new regulator to oversee the entire financial system in a bid to restrain behavior that led to the worst credit crisis since the 1930s.

Chrysler LLC said on Thursday that it had extended the deadline for its blue-collar workers to accept retirement incentives and buyouts to leave the company.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc's adjusted quarterly profit topped analysts' estimates on Thursday, helped by higher-than-expected concentrate sales, sending shares up 9 percent.

Stocks rose on Thursday after strong results at Best Buy lifted consumer shares, although worries over the fate of banks emerged as details on sweeping rules to regulate the financial system were unveiled.

ConAgra Foods Inc posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as price increases and cost cuts helped lift earnings in its consumer foods business.

Wall Street was set for a higher open on Thursday as reports on economic growth and jobless claims came in roughly as forecast, while shares of Best Buy jumped after its results beat expectations.

Best Buy Co posted a 23 percent drop in quarterly profit on Thursday, but its adjusted results topped Wall Street estimates, helped by better-than-expected consumer demand and strong sales of mobile phones.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc's adjusted quarterly profit topped analysts' estimates on Thursday, helped by higher-than-expected concentrate sales and expanded distribution of the soft drink Crush.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday as upbeat data this week showed signs of life in the economy, as investors awaited reports on gross domestic product and the labor market.

Mining giant Rio Tinto said it could sell more assets and reschedule debt if a proposed $19.5 billion tie-up with China's state-owned aluminum firm Chinalco fails to go ahead.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc reported an adjusted quarterly profit on Thursday that topped analysts' estimates, helped by higher-than-expected concentrate sales and expanded distribution of the soft drink Crush.

Asian stocks rose to their highest in nearly three months on Thursday, led by energy and financial shares, and oil climbed on hopes the U.S. economic slowdown may be easing.

Asian shares hit their highest level in 11 weeks on Thursday on hopes the U.S. economic downturn may be easing, while the dollar recovered after its latest wobble about its status as the main reserve currency.

In a bid to quash Wall Street excesses that nearly caused the collapse of the U.S. financial system, the Obama administration will propose tough restrictions on financial firms, hedge funds and derivatives markets.

In an effort to quash Wall Street excesses that nearly collapsed the U.S. financial system, the Obama administration on Thursday will propose tough new restrictions on big financial firms, hedge funds and derivatives markets, officials said on Wednesday.

Stocks rose in a late rally on Wednesday as unexpectedly strong housing and durable goods data fueled hopes the economy is finally on the mend, offsetting concerns the United States may struggle to fund plans to pull the economy out of recession.

Stocks rose in a late rally on Wednesday as unexpectedly strong housing and durable goods data fueled hopes the economy is finally on the mend, offsetting concerns the United States may struggle to fund plans to pull the economy out of recession.