INVESTMENT

Baidu Inc, operator of China's dominant search engine, said on Thursday that it will focus its future mobile Internet investments on its core search business as it takes aim at the next big Internet space.

The dollar was on the defensive on Thursday, retaining most of the losses sustained the previous day when upbeat data helped lure investors away from safe-haven currencies and assets. Figures released on Wednesday showed the U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected and China's factory output regained momentum in August, while Australia's economy expanded at its fastest pace in three years in the second quarter.

Tribune Co's board has formed a special committee to oversee the media company's bankruptcy, which unraveled this month following an investigation of the company's 2007 leveraged buyout.

The Chinese exchange rate has little role to play in rebalancing bilateral trade with the United States, a senior Chinese central bank official said in comments published on Tuesday.

Billionaire investor Ron Burkle's investment firm said it has no intention of taking control of Barnes & Noble as it fired a new shot in its proxy battle against the top U.S. bookstore chain.

Nokia and Siemens have confirmed talks with private equity firms over a possible investment into Nokia Siemens Networks , the Financial Times said on its website on Sunday.

A mortgage servicing company's claims that would push responsibility for faulty mortgage loans onto Wall Street titan Morgan Stanley were dismissed by a Delaware court, according to a court filing.

Douglas Clayton, chief executive officer of private equity fund manager Leopard Capital, has launched his second fund focused on Cambodia.

ETF Securities said ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares had a record day's trading volume on August 11 of 1.74 million shares, or $208 million. This represents the greatest one-day volume since its first US trading day on September 9, 2009.

General Motors Co has added Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Citigroup Inc to the slate of its lead underwriters for its initial public offering

Bankrupt U.S. auto parts supplier Visteon Corp is in talks with at least three bank groups on exit financing worth about $700 million

Barnes & Noble Inc is in talks to end a battle with one of its top investors, a source with knowledge of the discussions said, as the bookseller tries to attract buyers for its business.

Asian stocks slid to a near three-week low on Thursday on growing doubts about global economic growth that also helped the dollar cling to its gains after it scored its biggest rise in nearly two years.

Buyout firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co said on Tuesday it expects to start fundraising for its next private equity fund sometime in the next few quarters.

Private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co said on Monday it has canceled plans to sell $500 million of new common units, less than one month after it listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Hedge fund investor William Ackman has bought a slice of debt on Stuyvesant Town Peter/Cooper Village and could become the next owner of the sprawling Manhattan apartment complexes.

Ford Motor is planning to win back its investment grade credit rating that it lost in 2005, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the situation.

Metal producers should steer clear of using forward prices to assess potential profitability of new projects or for budgeting purposes as this could lead to misleading conclusions. Instead they could look at long-term price forecasts or use consultants. However, there are times when a producer without in-house research or unable to pay consultants, has little choice. In this case results should carry a health warning.

Gold held steady on Thursday after drop in prices from a 2-week high spurred light buying from jewelers in Asia, but firm stock markets were likely to weigh while holdings on the ETF fell slightly. Investors await the release of more data from the United States, particularly the payrolls report, which will offer clues on the health of the economy. Friday's government report on jobs may show a drop of 65,000 in July as census jobs dried up.

Gold held steady on bargain hunting on Thursday after prices slipped below $1,200 an ounce but firm stock markets were likely to weigh, and holdings on the ETF fell slightly. Investors await the release of more data from the United States, particularly the payrolls report, which will offer clues on the health of the economy. Friday's government report on jobs may show a drop of 65,000 in July as census jobs dried up.

Investment bank Houlihan Lokey had declined to endorse Sam Zell's $8.2 billion leveraged buyout of Tribune Co, citing the deal would saddle the media conglomerate with too much debt, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.