Japan's industrial output fell in February at the fastest pace in eight months due to declines in production of machinery, cars and electronics in a worrying sign that domestic demand could be faltering.

Japan's Fujifilm Holdings Corp (4901.T) said on Monday it has agreed to acquire U.S. biotechnology firm Cellular Dynamics International Inc (CDI) (ICEL.O) for $307 million.

China's Guangdong Rising Assets Management [GDRAM.UL] launched a fresh $850 million bid to buy copper and gold miner PanAust Ltd (PNA.AX), but priced its offer at a quarter less than 10 months ago, underscoring the rout in mineral commodities.

Ford Motor Co (F.N) will resurrect the Lincoln Continental as its top-of-the line luxury sedan, betting the classic name will help rebuild the brand's image in the United States and China.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Monday he would discuss with the Chinese government recent technology policy moves that Washington has complained constitute unfair regulatory pressure on foreign firms.

Germany's BMG music rights company said on Monday it had signed a music digital distribution deal with China's Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, as the world's largest e-commerce firm firms up its bid to become a digital media empire.

The euro fell on Monday, hurt by uncertainty over whether Greece and its international creditors will be able to strike a deal that will help Athens secure funding before it runs out of money by April 20.

When General Motors Co (GM.N) takes the wraps off its new Cadillac CT6 on Tuesday the most important thing about the vehicle could be what is under its skin.

Billionaire financier George Soros is ready to invest $1 billion in Ukraine, if Western countries help private investment there. He also put the odds of Greece leaving the euro at a third, in an interview with Austrian newspaper Der Standard.

Dufry AG (DUFN.S) has fleshed out plans for its takeover of Italy's World Duty Free SpA (WDF) (WDF.MI), as the Swiss company seeks to consolidate its position as the biggest player in the fast-growing airport retail sector.

Greece has not given up on its aim to renegotiate its debt to render it manageable, the country's deputy finance minister said on Monday as talks between Athens and its lenders on reforms to unlock aid continue.

Oil prices fell on Monday as officials from Iran and six world powers discussed a possible deal over Tehran's nuclear program that could bring an end to sanctions and allow an increase in Iranian oil exports.

Asian stock markets rose on Monday, with China stocks nearing a seven-year peak on hopes for more infrastructure spending and policy stimulus, while oil prices suffered further from excess supply.

Standard Chartered remains committed to Islamic banking and expects growth in its core markets, a spokesman for the lender said on Sunday, after the head of its Islamic arm departed.

Last fall, when the price of oil started dropping, fund manager Craig Hodges figured crude would rebound in 2015 and began buying shares of companies he thought would be unfairly hit, including construction company Primoris Services Corp and Eagle Materials Inc, which produces sand used in fracked wells.

The state of the U.S. labor market in March will consume economists and investors in the week leading up to Easter, adding to the seesaw debate over when the Federal Reserve will spring its first interest rate hike.

Denmark has applied to join the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Bank (AIIB), China's Ministry of Finance said on Sunday, becoming the latest European power to join the institution despite misgivings of the United States.

The chairman of China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina) said on Sunday he hopes to re-list Italy's Pirelli (PECI.MI) on the Italian stock exchange after his firm agreed earlier this month to acquire the world's fifth-largest tire maker.

Russian businessman Filaret Galchev, who owns a 10.8 percent stake in Switzerland's Holcim (HOLN.VX) via Eurocement Holding AG, has rejected the takeover offer that France's Lafarge (LAFP.PA) has made for Holcim, a Swiss newspaper reported on Sunday.

Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) will separate a portion of its century-old chlorine business and sell it to Olin Corp (OLN.N) in a tax-efficient deal worth $5 billion as part of efforts to shed low-margin assets.

Mexico's telecom regulator will not necessarily impose tougher rules against billionaire Carlos Slim's America Movil if it does not go ahead with a plan to sell off assets, the head of the regulatory agency said in an interview on Friday.

Tens of thousands of workers marched through the center of Rome on Saturday against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's reform of the labor market, headed by a popular union chief who is seen by many as a possible future leader of Italy's left.

Creditors of Puerto Rico's power authority, PREPA, have offered it $2 billion in financing, including $1.2 billion to fund a new natural gas operation, in exchange for assurances that it would repay its debt, two people close to the matter told Reuters on Saturday.

Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) plans to close some stores and consolidate its operations in Canada, the U.S. electronics retailer's second-largest market, in a move that will hurt earnings this year, the company said on Saturday.

PSA Peugeot Citroen (PEUP.PA) said on Friday it had chosen a French factory over a rival Spanish plant to expand engine production, prompting a visit by President Francois Hollande to highlight a bright spot in France's gloomy labor market.

In a corner of Toyota's oldest factory, the Japanese carmaker's longest-serving employee preaches the benefits of craftsmanship, saying manual labor is the key to success in a highly automated automotive industry.

California's gasoline sales are rising at some of the fastest rates for a decade, as an improving economy and lower fuel prices encourage more driving, according to state tax records.

Goldman Sachs became the top commodities bank last year, overtaking rival JP Morgan, a consultancy said on Friday.

Trafigura [TRAFGF.UL] is emerging as the new king of Russian oil trading, expanding its deal with sanctions-hit Rosneft to export $500 million worth of crude in April from the Baltic, the Mediterranean and Pacific ports, market sources said.

William Shakespeare's Globe theaters is taking on a new role as a financial trail-blazer by seeking to tap into a form of funding dominated to date by social enterprises and charities.