IBT Staff Reporter

German solar bellwether SolarWorld on Monday kept its 2009 sales outlook, helping European solar stocks gain, as it said cost savings had helped it offset most effects of the sector's ongoing price slump.

Though business is more competitive than ever, she finds nothing more gratifying than building and maintaining relationships with colleagues and clients in her seaside community north of San Diego.

European solar cell and module makers may be forced to speed up shifting production to Asia, rattled by rapid price declines and falling market shares.

China's eHi Car Rental Co Ltd, backed by venture capital firms including CDH Venture Investment and Jafco Asia, is planning an initial public offering in 2011 to fund expansion in the fast-growing but fragmented domestic car rental market, Chairman Ray Zhang said on Monday.

Debate over controversial EU laws on hedge funds shifted to the United States on Monday as a key industry body warned of protectionist aspects of the rules which have prompted Washington to lobby for changes. The Alternative Investment Management Association said the planned laws on alternative investment funds create potentially major difficulties and loss of business for funds and investors...

British life insurer Friends Provident said on Monday it had ended talks with would-be acquirer Resolution after rejecting a fresh takeover approach from the Guernsey-based bid vehicle over the weekend.

Agilent Technologies Inc said on Monday it agreed to buy Varian Inc in a $1.5 billion deal designed to bolster the company's bioanalytical measurement business.

Two-way navigation systems can be programmed for house hunters who want to tour the neighborhood on their own.

Troubled insurer American International Group Inc has formed a special-purpose vehicle for its AIU Holdings property-casualty unit, a key step toward selling at least part of that business.

So what would a staging professional do if faced with a less-than-perfect room in a listing? Get ideas for your own listings by viewing some of these staging professionals' best room makeovers.

Economy Watch: New Home sales, manufacturing reports, construction activity

A spoof song which makes fun of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's hard man image as the savior of Russia's battered economy has been winning fans on the Internet.

Specialty glass maker Corning Inc on Monday posted better-than-expected quarterly revenue, fueled by improved demand for glass for flat-screen television.

The recession-fueled advertising downturn underlines the urgency of using the Web to glean data and target consumers directly, rather than blasting them with a barrage of TV-style ads, media executives say.

Diversified U.S. manufacturer Honeywell International Inc reported a 38 percent decline in earnings as a slump in the aviation and construction markets eroded demand for its products.

Stocks were poised to open little changed on Monday as reduced outlooks from diversified manufacturer Honeywell Inc and health insurer Aetna Inc sparked caution.

Verizon Communications Inc posted a lower quarterly profit on Monday as weakness in its wholesale and corporate activities offset strength in its consumer wireless business.

The incidence of one type of heart attack has steadily decreased in the US since 1996, regardless of gender or ethnicity, to the lowest rates in years, according to a new study.

Over-the-counter allergy and asthma drugs helped obese, diabetic mice lose weight and control their blood sugar, researchers reported on Monday.

Indonesia has confirmed its first death linked to the H1N1 flu virus after a 6-year-old girl suffering from severe pneumonia died in Jakarta, the health ministry said.

Saudi Arabia, which is gearing up to host hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims later this year, announced its first death from H1N1 flu Monday.

When will the housing slump finally end? Even the experts' crystal balls are hazy.

The Federal Reserve on Thursday recommended new disclosure rules for home owners that would make the process of getting a home mortgage more understandable.

Enjoying an iced coffee? Better skip dinner or hit the gym afterwards, with a cancer charity warning that some iced coffees contain as many calories as a hot dinner.

The retirement income specialist appointed Geoff Shanks as chief financial officer. Shanks joins from Zurich Financial Services.

Asset manager Henderson Global Investors (HGGH.L) said on Monday it has appointed Mark Carpenter, a director in its property division, as head of Henderson New Star property funds

Many real estate investment trusts (REITs) spent the first quarter avoiding a financial funeral, but when they report second-quarter earnings in the next weeks, some may be feeling a new sense of longevity.

A rebounding economy could signal a boost for AvalonBay Communities (AVB.N), a real estate company, Barron's said.

China Merchants Property Development Co (000024.SZ)(200024.SZ) said on Saturday that it would place up to 5 billion yuan ($732 million) in new shares with investors to purchase and develop property projects.