U.S. small business optimism jumped in December to its highest level in more than eight years, the latest sign of strength in the economy even as dark clouds settle over global growth.
Sectors
Etsy, marketplace for handmade goods, to file for IPO
Etsy Inc, a global marketplace for handmade goods and crafts supplies, is planning an initial public offering that could take place as soon as this quarter, Bloomberg said, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Russell Stover buy boosts Swiss chocolate maker Lindt
The takeover of U.S. candymaker Russell Stover will fuel growth for Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli after strong demand for premium products boosted sales in 2014, the company said on Tuesday.
PetSmart discloses talks with rival before sale to BC Partners
Pet supply retailer PetSmart Inc (PETM.O) disclosed on Tuesday it was in talks to acquire or merge with a privately held rival, but ended talks over competition and antitrust concerns.
Alibaba buys controlling stake in digital marketing firm AdChina
China's e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said on Wednesday it had bought a controlling stake in online marketing company AdChina, an investment aimed at bolstering its advertising business.
Latest News
Brent and U.S. WTI crude oil prices fell to their lowest levels in almost six years on Tuesday as a big OPEC producer stood by the group's decision not to cut output to tackle a glut in the market.
A diplomatic push by Venezuela and Iran for an OPEC oil output cut has failed to soften the refusal of the group's Gulf members to do so for now, delegates said on Monday.
United Airlines is assessing whether to outsource jobs at airports around the country in a cost-cutting effort that could impact some 2,000 workers.
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd likely booked a 17 percent increase in operating profit last year, as worldwide adoption of fourth-generation (4G) mobile technology boosted earnings at China's leading telecommunications equipment maker.
The Twitter and YouTube accounts for the U.S. military command that oversees operations in the Middle East were hacked on Monday by people claiming to be sympathetic toward the Islamic State militant group being targeted in American bombing raids.
Germany's largest utility E.ON AG has agreed to sell its Italian gas- and coal-fired power plants to Czech energy company EPH, ridding itself of unwanted assets from an acquisition spree in 2007.
North Dakota oil producer Oasis Petroleum welcomes having hedge fund SPO Partners & Co as its largest shareholder, Chief Executive Tommy Nusz said in an interview on Monday, commenting on a fund that has been a shareholder since Oasis went public in 2010.
Malaysia's proposed $20 billion merger to create the world's biggest Islamic bank is likely to be scrapped after CIMB Holdings and RHB Capital failed to agree on new deal terms, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Portugal Telecom SGPS (PTC.LS) shareholders on Monday postponed until Jan. 22 a vote on the sale of its former operations by its merger partner, Brazil's Oi (OIBR3.SA), complicating the 7.4 billion euro ($9 billion) deal and possibly casting doubts on the long-agreed deal.
