Apr 15, 2008 4:33 PM EDT
Delta and Northwest agreed to merge after months of discussions that almost floundered on opposition from pilots and other unions at Northwest. The merger of two airlines with few routes overlapping is likely to pass regulatory approval as industry consolidates in the face of rising oil prices and weak pricing power. The merged airlines will operate as Delta have global headquarter in Atlanta and current Delta executives will dominate the board and executive positions after the merger. >>

Apr 14, 2008 4:26 PM EDT
Wachovia Corp reported quarterly loss in the first quarter, wrote down its assets by $2 billion, cut its dividend by 41% and will raise $7 billion in fresh capital. The news sent market averages and banking sector stocks lower. In the commodities market, sugar, crude oil and gasoline increased, lifting stocks in the energy sector. Petrobras, in Brazil, surged on an oil field find. Berlusconi returned to govern Italy, for the third time. >>

Apr 14, 2008 12:43 PM EDT
U.S. stocks edged lower after Wachovia cut its dividend by 41% and proposed to raise as much as $7 billion through convertible preferred stock offering. Wachovia also reported a loss in the first quarter and asset write down of $2 billion. UK media reports suggested that Citigroup is likely to write down assets of $12 billion and Merrill Lynch of $3 billion. Blockbuster proposed $1 billion in cash buyout for Circuit City. >>

Apr 11, 2008 4:16 PM EDT
U.S. stocks fell sharply after General Electric surprised investors with an earnings miss and lowered expectations for the second quarter. The sharp fall in investments in finance unit in the last two weeks in March hurt the earnings. Frontier Air filed for bankruptcy protection. Consumer sentiment fell to 63.2 in April, weakest read since 1982, higher energy and food prices. Genentech reported first quarter profit rise of 2% but sales of Avastin missed the target. >>

Apr 11, 2008 4:01 PM EDT
Frontier Airlines stock plunged 71% after it filed for protection from creditors. The company blamed the decision on its principal credit processor on unexpected increase in hold on cash from sale of airline tickets. The airline said it plans to operate full schedule and honor all tickets and reservations and will pay wages and suppliers. >>

Apr 10, 2008 5:24 PM EDT
U.S. trade deficit in February increased 5.7% as imports in the month rose faster than exports. Talks of cheap dollar fueling exports, at least in February did not help. Dollar came immediately under renewed pressure in the currency market and talks of another rate cut intensified. In addition, initial claims of jobless benefit fell 53,000 at the end of last week. The Bank of England lowered its key rate to 5% but ECB left its target rate at 4%. >>

Apr 10, 2008 1:27 PM EDT
U.S. stocks edged higher on a rise in tech stocks. Intel surged 4%. Yahoo and AOL are in merger talks and Microsoft and News Corp are likely to offer its revised bid. In the economic news, February trade deficit rose 5.7% to $62.32 billiion and deficit with China, Japan, Canada, Mexico and euro zone nations increased. Initial jobless claims at the end of last week fell. Same store sales in March declined on weak apparel sales. >>

Apr 09, 2008 4:07 PM EDT
U.S. stocks edged lower on negative news on earnings and rising crude oil and metal prices. Crude oil traded above $112 a barrel after weekly inventories report showed higher than expected decline. UPS lowered its earnings estimate on higher oil price and softer domestic shipment volumes. AMR cancelled 500 flights after several planes were grounded for inspections. Goldman Sachs reported a rise in hard to value level-3 assests and reported 35% decline in revenue. >>

Apr 09, 2008 1:03 PM EDT
U.S. stocks fell sharply in the morning trading after string of negative news. Crude oil surpassed $111 a barrel, UPS lowered its earnings estimates for the first quarter and Goldman Sachs reported higher level of level-3 assets and 35% decline in revenue at the end of the first quarter. American Airlines grounded 1,000 flights for inspections. >>

Apr 09, 2008 8:52 AM EDT
The new governor at the Bank of Japan left key interest rate unchaged at 0.5% and warned that economy is sluggish and private investment from businesses is declining. Japanese steelmakers agreed to pay nearly three times for the coking coal from Australia. Coal miners in Australia have raised prices for the last five years to take advantage of economic boom in China and India. Earlier South Korea agreed with a similar price hike. >>