IBT Staff Reporter

Incoming Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai aims to re-shape the company by linking hardware and software through online networks - a model he used at the PlayStation maker's computer entertainment unit.

Two top Ford Motor Co executives who helped steer the U.S. automaker through the financial crisis will retire by April 1, thinning the ranks of potential candidates who could replace Chief Executive Alan Mulally in coming years.

Stocks edged higher on Thursday after Greece reached a deal to secure a financial bailout, but investors took a wait-and-see attitude in a market that has become extended after weeks of gains.

Oracle Corp agreed to buy Taleo Corp, a maker of Web-based software for recruiting employees, for about $1.9 billion, as technology giants battle for the top spot in the fast-growing cloud computing market.

Oracle Corp agreed to buy Taleo Corp, a maker of Web-based software for recruiting employees, for about $1.9 billion, as technology giants battle for the top spot in the fast-growing cloud computing market.

Apple Inc plans to introduce its latest iPad tablet at an event in the first week in March, the website AllThingsD reported, citing unnamed sources.

U.S. market regulators charged a former employee of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd with making $63,000 in illegal profits on inside information about the company's 2008 agreement to acquire Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc.

U.S. banking regulators are using the agreement announced on Thursday between large U.S. banks and state and federal agencies over foreclosure abuses as a vehicle for levying their own fines on banks for problems in their mortgage servicing businesses.

The number of Americans signing up for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, the latest sign of recovery in the labor market.

The International Monetary Fund and Greek authorities continue talks to finalize details of a new rescue package following an agreement among the country's political leaders, an IMF spokesman said on Thursday.

Oracle Corp plans to buy Taleo Corp, a maker of Web-based software for recruiting employees, for about $1.9 billion as a war heats up for control over the fast-growing cloud computing market.

Debt-ridden Portugal's international lenders will next week begin assessing the country's compliance with the terms of its 78-billion euro bailout, against a backdrop of concerns it may eventually have to sign up for a second rescue package.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet with parliamentary floor leaders on Friday to discuss Greece's bailout after euro zone ministers meet in Brussels later on Thursday, parliamentary sources said.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi opened the door on Thursday to helping Athens indirectly after Greek politicians finally signed up to an austerity package following days of dither and delay.

Shares of Cisco Systems Inc fell 3 percent, a day after the network equipment maker's estimate-beating forecast failed to impress, suggesting investors may still be wary of its restructuring efforts paying off so early.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting recent gains in employment are being sustained.

News that Greece had reached a deal to secure a bailout was greeted with caution on Wall Street on Thursday, with investors taking a wait-and-see approach in a market that has become extended after weeks of gains.

The U.S. judge overseeing MF Global's bankruptcy plans a closer review before deciding whether any of an estimated $190 million of insurance coverage for former company executives should instead go to customers.

The United States has threatened action that could disrupt a French-led satellite maker's supply chain, spurred by suspicion that it illegally used U.S. know-how or parts in spacecraft launched by Chinese rockets.

Swiss bank UBS sought to distance itself from a U.S. investigation of rival Swiss private banks on Thursday, saying that it did not hand over data on rival banks directly to U.S. officials when it settled a U.S. crackdown on taxpayers holding secret offshore accounts two years ago.

The plans underscore concerns in the eurozone about debt and a potential relapse into recession.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting recent gains in employment are being sustained.

PepsiCo Inc forecast lower-than-expected 2012 earnings in a transition year in which it said it would cut thousands of jobs to save money and increase advertising to reinvigorate sales in North America.

The biggest U.S. banks will provide about $25 billion in relief to distressed homeowners, as state and federal officials hold lenders responsible for taking illegal shortcuts during foreclosures and for other deceptive practices.

New claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, a government report showed on Thursday, further evidence the labor market was gaining traction.

Eastman Kodak Co , the bankrupt inventor of the hand-held camera, plans to stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames in the first half of 2012 in a bid to cut costs.

The Bank of England voted to inject more cash into the economy to shore up a fragile recovery and shield the country from fallout from the unresolved euro zone debt crisis.

Stocks turned lower on Thursday as initial enthusiasm faded over a long-stalled Greek deal and data indicating an improving U.S. labor market.

Big U.S. media companies bought back record amounts of their own shares in the last year, with cash generated by cable television networks that drew strong viewership and advertising dollars despite the economic uncertainty.