IBT Staff Reporter

Sales from services in the U.S. fell for the first time in two months, according results of a survey of business executives from the Institute for Supply Management.

Exactly eight years after Enron Corp filed for bankruptcy protection, a federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by investors against banks they accused of helping the energy company commit fraud.

The dollar is slightly lower against the majors in the Thursday session, drifting past the 1.51-handle versus the euro and around 0.93 against the Australian dollar. Weekly jobless claims, released earlier today was slightly better than expected, drifting lower to 457k from 466k a week earlier and besting estimates for an increase to 480k.

Kraft Foods will post its offer document to Cadbury Plc shareholders on Friday, triggering a two-month 9.8 billion pound ($16.4 billion) takeover fight, sources with knowledge of the situation said on Thursday.

Kraft Foods will post its offer document to Cadbury Plc shareholders on Friday, triggering a two-month 9.8 billion pound ($16.4 billion) takeover fight, sources with knowledge of the situation said on Thursday.

The world's top cell phone maker Nokia will drastically cut back on the number of different smartphone models it rolls out next year as the Finnish firm tries to shrug off new rivals Apple Inc and RIM.

The Dow and the S&P 500 inched lower on Thursday as optimism about Bank of America's plan to repay $45 billion of government bailout money was offset by data showing the vast U.S. services sector contracted in November, which increased concerns about the recovery's strength.

Standard & Poor's Maalot unit said on Thursday it lowered its rating on bonds issued by Israel's MA Industries to AA- from AA, citing an erosion of the financial profile of the world's biggest maker of generic agrochemicals.

Airbus sold 52 A320 single-aisle jetliners worth $4 billion in an unexpected bounce in plane demand in November, but the name of the airline betting on a recovery in depressed travel demand was kept under wraps.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday defended his record at the helm of the U.S. central bank before a skeptical Senate that is considering stripping the institution of its regulatory powers.

Oil and gas company Denbury Resources Inc (DNR.N) said it would buy a 95 percent working interest in the Conroe Field in Houston for about $430.7 million in cash and stock from Wapiti Energy LLC.

U.S. mortgage rates dropped to a record low in the latest week, as rates fell for a fifth straight week, a closely watched mortgage survey showed Thursday.

The top U.S. securities regulator pushed on Thursday to reform mutual fund fees that traditionally used to stimulate fund growth and help cut shareholder expenses.

Bank of America Corp will sell the securities it will use to help repay $45 billion in government bailout funds Thursday evening, based on extraordinary interest, its chief financial officer said.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday defended his record at the helm of the U.S. central bank before a skeptical Senate that is considering stripping the institution of its regulatory powers.

There's something to be said for taking Greyhound through the USA - actually, there are many things and not all positive. But for eye-bursting stench, seats that

The U.S. services sector contracted in November, with an index measuring activity falling to its lowest reading since July, according to a report released on Thursday that was a shock to economists forecasting the economic recovery was gathering pace.

I'm a flashpacker and I'm proud of it. I haven't always considered myself one, of course. I used to relish sitting on train

The U.S. services sector unexpectedly contracted in November, with an index measuring activity falling to its lowest reading since July, according to an industry report released on Thursday.

U.S. retailers from Macy's to Costco posted much weaker-than-expected sales for November as shoppers focused only on big bargains at the start of the key holiday selling season.

Mining group Xstrata plans to boost capital spending next year by 89 percent to $6.8 billion to expand output and is considering whether to close or sell any of its four profit-squeezed copper smelters.

Stocks were little changed on Thursday as data showing that the vast U.S. services sector contracted in November stoked concerns about the strength of the recovery, offsetting Bank of America's plan to repay $45 billion of government aid.

U.S. computer maker Dell expects a moderately good holiday season and increased consumer and commercial demand next year, the company's chief financial officer said on Wednesday.

Hon Hai Precision, Taiwan's largest electronics parts maker, has signed a deal to buy Dell's factory in Poland to produce desktop computers, servers and other storage devices.

SAIC Motor Corp, China's biggest automaker, said on Thursday it suspended its trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as it plans a major asset restructuring.

Canada's Absolute Software Corp said it acquired LANrev security software product suite from Germany's Pole Position Software GmbH for about $14.6 million in cash and stock, to strengthen its position in the asset management and data protection markets.

The first song of Nick Jonas' new solo project Who I Am debuted Wednesday night at the Grammy nominations ceremony.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday defended his record at the helm of the U.S. central bank before a skeptical Senate that is considering stripping the institution of its regulatory powers.

The British university caught in the center of what climate skeptics are calling ClimateGate, said on Thursday it's called an outside reviewer to lead the investigation. Ex-civil servant Sir Muir Russell will head the probe into the hacked e-mails and documents from the University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit (CRU) in the UK last month.