IBT Staff Reporter

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) said Wednesday it will acquire Reactivity, Inc., a specialized network hardware provider, for $135 million in cash.

Amid lawmaker and public concern, Payday lenders will introduce new policies to offer customers extra time to pay off loans and inform them about how to use their short term loans responsibly.

Shares of technology company Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) fell Wednesday, a day after the firm gave a mild forecast for its upcoming quarter.

JetBlue Airways Corp. said Wednesday that it expects its operations will post a loss for the current quarter due to service disruptions which took place during last week's ice storm in New York.

Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) rallied on Wednesday after Prudential Equity Group raised its earnings estimate for the firm's current quarter, expecting strong computer sales as well as cheaper parts.

While online office software is still in its infancy, new research released today reveals that the world's number 1 search provider, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), also led the market as the top provider of Web-based productivity tools for the last three months of 2006.

With the demand for computing power exploding among the distributors of media rich Internet content, some analysts believe Sun (Nasdaq: SUNW) is poised for a rebound in demand following five years in the wilderness.

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD)introduced a slew of new consumer-level processors on Tuesday, including two new low-power chips, and its highest performing dual-core processor to date.

German enterprise software company SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) said Tuesday that it has acquired the privately held analytical tools firm Pilot Software.

Shares of air carrier JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) fell on Tuesday, in the aftermath of a week of weather related delays and self-admitted deficiencies in its response plans. The company expects from $20 million to $30 million in losses as a result.

Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR) jumped on Tuesday after a proposed all-stock merger between the companies.

E-Trade Financial (Nasdaq: ETFC) announced the launch of a global trading platform on Tuesday to provide its retail investors with online access to foreign markets for the first time.

Media giant Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA) said on Tuesday that it will partner with the much-hyped Joost Internet video service created by the founders of Skype.

As debate continues in some cities around the country, Morris Communications' regional subsidiary Fairway Outdoor Advertising unveiled its first digital billboard in South Carolina.

New research looking into the networking and telecommunications industries reveals that worldwide sales of optical transport equipment reached the highest level in 5 years during the fourth quarter of 2006.

Microsoft Corp. released an update to its SQL server software on Monday, marking the second major update the software giant issued for its enterprise grade database.

Chinese computer maker, Lenovo, said today that it has hired a new vice president of Cultural Integration and Diversity.

Microsoft announced a collaboration between three-time NBA All-Star forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and its own MSN Internet sites to launch a new site for kids and teens.

Graphics chipmaker Nvidia Corp. (Nasdaq: NVDA) said Friday that it has released a new software development tool that will allow programmers to tap into the power of its processors, opening the door to solve complex computing problems.

Dell Computer (Nasdaq: Dell) said on Friday that it has appointed Ron Garriques, president of Motorola's Mobile Devices unit, as president of its Global Consumer division.

Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) announced Friday it is introducing the Palm Treo 750 smartphone in Australia.

Shares of Daimler Chrysler rose on Friday, after a report stated that General Motors could buy the German-American car maker's struggling Chrysler unit.

LSI Logic Corporation (NYSE: LSI) said Friday that it will acquire privately held storage chip firm SiliconStor Inc. for $55 million in cash.

Shares of software giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) fell on Friday after Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, said analysts' revenue predictions for Windows Vista were a 'little overly optimistic.'

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE: GY), the largest U.S. tire maker reported a quarterly loss after a 12 week strike resulted in a $367 million loss of net income.

U.S. health officials have cleared a hair-combing consumer laser product to treat baldness in men, the manufacturer said Thursday.

Candy maker Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) said Thursday it will cut one third of its production lines and eliminate 1,500 jobs over the next three years, or about 12 percent of its workforce, after its most recent quarterly results came in below expectations.

ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) announced Tuesday that it is recalling its Peter Pan and Great Value Peanut Butter brands as U.S. health officials investigate the products due to risk of salmonella contamination.

Shares of Network Appliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) rose Thursday, following a strong third quarter and upgraded estimates from an investment bank.