IBT Staff Reporter

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.

China's recently launched anti-dumping investigation into U.S. distillers' dried grains exports could be disruptive to trade, a U.S. industry trade group said on Thursday.

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.

A Minnesota start-up has designed a way to build a wireless network using only visible light.

Barnes & Noble Inc said that sales of digital books made through its website now exceed those of traditional books that it sells online.

Studying the structure of open interest in US Comex Gold Futures and options, it points to more volatility and the risk...is very much to the upside, says O'Connell, concluding that professional traders are looking for a Gold Price of $1500 or even $1600 by the start of April.

Former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky had his jail term extended until 2017 on Thursday after being convicted of theft and money-laundering in a trial condemned in the West as politically motivated.

Ford Motor Co is recalling 14,737 new vehicles including its biggest seller, the F-series pickup truck, due to the chance than an electrical short could cause a fire, U.S. federal regulators 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.

LOS ANGELES - Sears and Kmart are entering the digital-movie rental and sale industry with the new online video store Alphaline Entertainment.

Sony Corp. has filed a patent suit against LG Electronics, seeking to stop its import of mobile phones to the US. It is the latest in a series of patent complaints that have plagued the technology industry.

China defended its export controls on rare earth minerals on Thursday, saying that they were in line with World Trade Organization rules, after a government move to slash export quotas on rare earths sparked trade concerns.

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.

TORONTO - Maybe it's all those Justin Bieber fans: Canadians log more time on the Web and social media, including Facebook and YouTube, than any other nation.

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.

An Israeli court, on Thursday, found the country's former President, Moshe Katsav, guilty of rape and other sexual offenses. He was convicted on two charges of rape of an employee, Aleph, in the April 1998 while serving as the tourism minister for the country. He was also found guilty of sexual assault against ex-aide Heh and sexually harassing an 18-year-old Lamed Yod at the presidential residence, Beit HaNassi.

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.

California-based start up Lookout Mobile Security said a new Trojan - dubbed Geinimi' - affecting Android devices has recently emerged in China and displayed botnet-like capabilities.

The defense is claiming that Michael may have inadvertently injected himself with a fatal dose of Propofol

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.