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HARTFORD, Conn. — United Technologies has agreed to buy General Electric's fire detection and security business for $1.82 billion.
Oil prices fell below $79 a barrel Thursday amid signs that U.S. crude demand remains weak and as the dollar strengthened, making commodities like oil more expensive for international investors.
NEW YORK — A 19-year-old New York City man arrested on robbery charges has been exonerated thanks to his Facebook page.
NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported a 3.2 percent increase in third-quarter profit, helped by inventory controls and other cost-cutting measures.
Wall Street looked to open with a loss Thursday as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had disappointing news on consumer spending.
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's Corp.'s sales of exclusive brands and tight inventory control helped its third-quarter profit rise 21 percent, the company said Thursday.
Rising oil prices could imperil a modest increase in crude demand and the recovery of the global economy, the International Energy Agency said Thursday as it raised its outlook for oil demand this year.
BASEL, Switzerland — Swiss agrochemicals company Syngenta AG said Thursday it has acquired two lettuce seed companies based in California.
MADRID — Spanish telephone company Telefonica SA said Thursday its 3rd quarter net profit dipped 0.6 percent compared to the same period of last year as the company took in less revenue in a recession-plagued economy.
PHILADELPHIA — Apparel retailer Urban Outfitters Inc. said Thursday profit rose 5 percent, as higher sales at its Anthropologie chain helped offset weaker results at its Urban Outfitters and Free People stores.
WASHINGTON — The federal deficit is expected to hit $150 billion for the first month in the new budget year, headed toward another $1 trillion-plus tide of red ink. Economists worry such deficits could push up interest rates, adding a further drag on the fragile economic recovery.
WASHINGTON — Economists expect the number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week as job cuts continue to slowly decline.
LONDON — European stock markets rose modestly Thursday as investor optimism was dented by a subdued performance in Asia. Wall Street was expected to retreat after the Standard & Poor's 500 index failed to close above 1,100 the day before.
WARSAW, Poland — Poland's gas and oil monopoly, PGNiG, posted a better-than-expected third quarter net profit of 408 million zlotys ($148 million), as lower prices for imported gas improved its profit margins, the company said Thursday.
LONDON — Industrial production in the 16 countries that use the euro increased a modest 0.3 percent in September from the month before, reinforcing expectations that growth figures on Friday will show the recession in the single currency over.