GENERAL ELECTRIC

John Steinbeck's masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath stands as a chronicle of the Great Depression and as a commentary on the economic and social system that gave rise to it. His themes of man's inhumanity to man, the dignity and rage of the working class, and the selfishness and greed of the moneyed class ring true today.

President Barack Obama stepped up efforts to woo the U.S. business community on Monday, seeking its help to tackle burdensome corporate taxes in a speech to a business group that has long been a fierce critic.

Jefferies & Co. said investors are uncertain about Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) future in consumer technology and that they have chosen to discount all parts of the business until it becomes clearer what Microsoft’s competitive position in the key areas of tablets, smartphones and online search will be.

After stirring up a storm with the 'V for Victory, You are the Resistance' campaign, Infowars has now accused the Obama administration of triggering blackouts.

Nuclear power and high speed rail will top the focus of China's plan to invest $1.5 trillion in seven key industries and shift the world's number two economy away from its role as a supplier of cheap goods, sources said.

The nation's largest cable TV company, Comcast Corp, has finalized itsacquisition of NBCUniversal this week, obtaining a 51 percent stake at a cost of $13.45 billion.

Diversified manufacturer Honeywell International Inc raised its 2011 profit forecast on Friday and announced a deal to sell a unit that makes antifreeze and other car maintenance products.

Chinese President Hu Jintao headed home on Friday after a U.S. visit both sides declared a success, but which left questions over how the world's top two economic powers will manage future frictions.

U.S. stocks delivered mixed results Friday, General Electric led the way among blue chip stocks with a stronger-than-expected earnings, while financial sector stocks turned in mixed results.

Jeffrey Immelt’s appointment by President Obama to head his new White House economic council has some labor leaders concerned, given the perception that the boss of General Electric (NYSE: GE) is hostile to the union movement and is committed to outsourcing American jobs to foreign (cheaper) workers.

Dow and S&P continue to be fueled by General Electric, Exxon Mobil; but Nasdaq slips

Chinese President Hu Jintao took his political roadshow to the U.S. heartland on Friday, visiting Chicago to highlight business and cultural ties between the world's two largest economies.

General Electric Co reported better-than-expected earnings, helped by the recovery of its finance arm and a rise in revenue at its industrial units, including a sharp pickup in sales of locomotives.

A court in France has fined Edgar Bronfman Jr., the chairman of Warner Music Group,5-million euros ($6.7-million) on criminal charges related to the prior bankruptcy of Bronfman’s former company, media conglomerate Vivendi Universal.

US stocks advanced in early trade on Friday as upbeat quarterly results from General Electric and Google and strong German IFO business sentiment data boosted investor sentiment.

Jeffery Immelt, the chief executive of General Electric (NYSE: GR) will head a new advisory panel formed by President Barack Obama designed to promote economic growth in the country.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade on Friday are: General Electric, Google, Micron Technology, Sara Lee, American International Group, Schlumberger and Biogen Idec.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a higher opening on Friday with futures on the S&P 500 up 0.15 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.11 percent and Nasdaq100 futures up 0.15 percent.

GE reported 52 percent growth in its quarterly profit that blew past estimates on growth in Technology Infrastructure and NBC Universal Businesses and lower costs

The companies that reported earnings before the markets open on Friday are: General Electric, Bank of America, Schlumberger, BB&T, Air Products and SunTrust Banks.

The companies which are expected to see active trade on Friday are: Bank of America, Advanced Micro Devices, Google, General Electric, Intuitive Surgical, Schlumberger, International Game Technology, Emulex and Capital One Financial.