AP Breaking News
The latest breaking business, global, and technology news from the Associated Press
BT Q2 profit down 29 pct, raises outlook
November 12, 2009, 6:09AM ET
Telecommunications company BT Group PLC on Thursday reported that net profit fell 29 percent in the second quarter but upgraded its full-year guidance and said it was making good progress in reducing costs.
BMW to invest $735 million in China joint venture
November 12, 2009, 6:02AM ET
BMW Group announced Thursday expansion plans in China, the world's largest vehicle market, by investing 560 million euros ($735 million) with its local partner Brilliance Automotive Holdings Ltd.
K+S Q3 net income falls 99 percent
November 12, 2009, 5:58AM ET
German salt and fertilizer company Kali + Salz AG said Thursday its net income fell 99 percent in the third quarter as demand for its potash, nitrogen and magnesium agriculture products dropped.
GDF Suez confirms earnings target
November 12, 2009, 5:47AM ET
French utility GDF Suez SA said Thursday it is on track to achieve targeted improvements in 2009 earnings despite a dip in sales over the first nine months of the year.
Shipper A.P. Moller-Maersk posts 9-month loss
November 12, 2009, 5:44AM ET
Danish container shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S on Thursday reported a net loss of 3.86 billion kroner ($706 million) for the first nine months of 2009, citing a drop in global shipments of goods amid the economic crisis.
China extends investigation of Rio Tinto employees
November 12, 2009, 5:40AM ET
Four Rio Tinto employees, including an Australian citizen, who have been held in China on bribery and espionage charges will be investigated for at least another two months, Australia's foreign minister said Thursday.
Medvedev urges modernization of Russian economy
November 12, 2009, 5:37AM ET
Russia needs to shed its dependence on exports of raw materials and to build a new high-tech economy to survive, President Dmitry Medvedev said in his annual state-of-the-nation address Thursday.
Japan stocks dragged by share dilution worries
November 12, 2009, 5:35AM ET
Japanese stocks retreated Thursday, as steep declines among pharmaceuticals and shipping companies wiped out initial momentum.
Romanian subway workers on 2-hour strike
November 12, 2009, 5:34AM ET
Subway workers in Romania's capital have staged a two-hour strike to demand a 20 percent pay rise.
China shares mixed on lower lending data
November 12, 2009, 5:31AM ET
Chinese shares ended mixed Thursday as profit-taking investors unloaded their stocks on lower lending figures in October.
Greek August unemployment falls to 9 percent
November 12, 2009, 5:31AM ET
Greece's unemployment rate fell to 9 percent in August from 9.6 percent in July, official figures showed Thursday.
Dutch marine services companies relaunch merger
November 12, 2009, 5:30AM ET
Royal Boskalis Westminster NV, a provider of industrial marine services, relaunched a euro1.1 billion ($1.65 billion) bid for Smit International NV on Thursday.
Polish gas monopoly PGNiG posts strong 3Q gains
November 12, 2009, 5:29AM ET
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.
SKorea, Peru seek to conclude free-trade deal
November 12, 2009, 5:29AM ET
The presidents of South Korea and Peru agreed Thursday to expand economic ties and called for efforts to quickly conclude free-trade negotiations.
Spanish recession continues as economy shrinks
November 12, 2009, 5:27AM ET
Spain remained in recession in the third quarter as its economy continued to shrink, although at a slower pace than earlier in the year, the government reported Thursday.
China hints at yuan rise ahead of Obama's visit
November 12, 2009, 5:20AM ET
China signaled Thursday that it's ready to allow its currency to rise just days ahead of a visit by President Barack Obama.
Insurer Aegon returns to profit in Q3
November 12, 2009, 5:16AM ET
Aegon NV, the bailed-out Dutch insurer that owns Transamerica in the U.S., on Thursday reported a profit for the third quarter, its first since the financial crisis became most acute last fall.
UK home repossession up 3 percent in 3Q
November 12, 2009, 5:14AM ET
Home repossession in the United Kingdom rose by 3 percent in the third quarter, but the Council of Mortgage Lenders said Thursday that it has reduced its forecast for the full year as mortgage arrears are declining.
Salzgitter in Q3 loss of euro67 million
November 12, 2009, 5:04AM ET
German steelmaker Salzgitter AG reported a loss for the third quarter Thursday due to a sharp drop in steel demand and sales amid the economic downturn.
Bank of Korea keeps key rate at record low
November 12, 2009, 5:00AM ET
South Korea's central bank left its key interest rate at a record low for the ninth straight month Thursday, pledging to maintain low borrowing rates to help extend a recovery in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
