IBT Staff Reporter

MyTravel Group said on Wednesday its annual profit would be less than previously expected following difficult trading conditions

Clothing retailer Next Plc posted a 3.6 percent increase in first half protect profits on Wednesday, as a surge in its catalogue and Internet business helped offset a drop in samem store sales.

BAE Systems said on Wednesday its core first half earnings rose by 39 percent helped its U.S. operations, including a one off accounting gain there.

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Wednesday, led by Next after it reported results well ahead of consensus estimates, but weighed down by miners after a decline in metal prices.

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners missed mortgage payments last year, with young borrowers most at risk, a charity survey said on Wednesday.

Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Tuesday that George Keyworth resigned from its board after he admitted being a source of information for boardroom press leaks.

Best Buy Co. Inc. on Tuesday reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit, boosted by new store openings and sales of high-priced electronics, easing fears that consumers were pulling back on spending.

Japan's Canon Inc. said on Tuesday it would recall more than 140,000 personal copiers because they could produce smoke or catch fire, costing the office equipment maker about 200 million yen ($1.7 million).

Dell Inc. plans to open its own retail stores on a city-by-city basis and does not expect to sell its personal computers through shops like Best Buy Co., a senior executive said on Tuesday.

Apple Computer Inc. said on Tuesday its iTunes online music store would begin selling movies from Disney, Pixar, and Touchstone as the company makes its most aggressive move yet into the digital home.

A recent survey on consumer trends shows that male shoppers between the ages of 25-39, who are identified as the “Xoomer” generation, are creating a significant impact on the retail market place.

SABMiller PLC announced on Tuesday that is has finalized the acquisition of the Foster brand and business in India for $120-million.

Chile has been ranked as Latin America's most sustainable and ethical nation according to a study of more than 50 economic, social, corruption, legal, political and environmental indicators, which compare eight major Latin American countries.

Patricia Dunn will be stepping down as chairman of Hewlett Packard. Her resignation comes following a scandal in which an investigator allegedly obtained phone records improperly in an attempt to identify boardroom leaks.

Nokia, the largest cell phone manufacturer, is teaming up with Electronic Arts, the largest video-game publisher to offer games for its next generation handsets, the companies announced on Tuesday.

Investor sentiment on semiconductor stocks have been low across the summer, however recent data from analysts reveals the trend may be turning.

Budget airline easyJet announced today that its forward bookings had returned to normal levels. However there was still concern that the increase in security demands

Semiconductor designer and manufacturer, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), announced on Tuesday an online virtual-trade room, allowing users listen to keynote speeches and explore exhibits from their computer screens.

Hewlett-Packard announced on Tuesday that its current chairwoman, Patricia Dunn, will step down in 2007, making way for the company's chief executive officer and president Mark Hurd to assume the role.

McDonald's announced on Tuesday its worldwide restaurant comparable sales have increased by 6 percent in August from 3.4 percent last year.

Nokia, the world largest cell-phone manufacturer, has teamed up with China Mobile in efforts to expand the cellular networking infrastructure across mainland China, the companies said on Tuesday.

European Union officials warned Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday not to shut out rivals in the security software market as the company plans to upgrade its new Vista operating system

Global financial markets remain strong but risks of an economic slowdown have increased, which could trigger corrections more severe than the one in May, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday.

Strong rises in the cost of toys and games pushed the inflation rate up more than expected in August, reinforcing expectations that interest rates will rise again before the end of the year.

The FTSE 100 reversed early losses on Tuesday as fresh tensions in the Middle East saw investors return to beleaguered mining stocks on the prospect of more stable commodity prices.

According to Airport operator BAA, there was a 0.3% increase in British passenger numbers in August. Following the plot to blow up airliners last month, BAA spent an additional 13 million pounds to introduce tighter security.

India's second largest petroleum company, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is planning to invest Rs. 200 crore for the purpose of automation of over 1,000 retail outlets by March 2007.

The highly acclaimed US based Healthcare Informatics magazine has listed CBay in the 100 top companies in their annual rankings of the healthcare IT companies by revenue.

A draft of a statement to be issued at the G7 finance ministers' meeting this week says the U.S. economy is moving toward a sustainable growth path but does not yet contain any references to currencies, Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday.