Market News

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was higher on Thursday following an announcement by the Labor Department that the number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell by 7,000 last week.

Ahead of the Tape: As the Fed's unofficial target of 6.5% unemployment gets closer, a jobs touchdown looks less appealing to financial markets.

The Dow's record comes as company-specific factors are mattering more in terms of share moves. That could be an opportunity for stock-picking fund managers.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board unsealed past criticisms of PwC, indicating the regulator is not satisfied with the firm's response.

Methanex (MEOH) was downgraded to neutral by UBS (UBS) as the stock price has appreciated substantially, and is fully valued. A $39 price target was set.

The timing may be right for Verizon to take full control of the U.K. telecom.

Big Lots (BIG) was upgraded to hold from sell with a price target of $35 by Deutsche Bank (DB) as the firm believes that near term risks to the share price are no longer a concern.

While many popular emerging markets funds aren't soaring to new all-time highs like those focusing on blue chip U.S. industrials, stocks in the Philippines keep setting fresh records.

Amgen Incorporated (AMGN) maintained its quarterly dividend of 47 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on June 7, 2013, to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 16, 2013.

The European Central Bank cut its forecasts for the euro-zone economy this year and next, and President Mario Draghi played down the possibility of taking further steps to revive it.

The People's Money: China has the world's largest number of billionaires and 700 million peasants. In between is a surprisingly thin and unhappy middle class, which poses a big social and economic challenge.

In trading on Thursday, computer peripherals shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 3.1%. Leading the group were shares of Immersion (IMMR), up about 29.4% and shares of Juniper Networks (JNPR) up about 4.7...

In trading on Thursday, general contractors & builders shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.9%.

Merck (MRK) announced that profit more than doubled during the fourth fiscal quarter due to higher prices for its Rebif multiple sclerosis drug, as well as from cost savings from restructuring. Profit increased to 272 mi...

Dell said activist investor Carl Icahn is pushing for a huge special dividend instead of a planned $24.4 billion leveraged buyout by founder Michael Dell.

Some Japanese government officials are seeking to overhaul management of the world's largest pension fund—which could lead to larger holdings of stocks and foreign assets.

Bank of America profited from a big options bet it made on an alcohol-company stock days before the beverage maker announced an acquisition in which the bank was the lead lender.

Fears over a snowstorm upended some investors' plans for trading tied to a January factory report Wednesday, the latest in a recent run of surprises over data releases that have put some traders on the defensive

The rush to sell shares is a sign of corporations' desire to boost growth by investing and acquiring rivals.

The hunt for Americans who secretly stashed money overseas gained fresh momentum with lawyers saying the U.S. is looking to collect on accounts based in India, Israel, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Truck maker Navistar International is like the still-traumatized survivor of a traffic accident. Inching away from the pileup, the company doesn't yet know how big the repair bill will be.

T ime Warner scrapped talks to sell some magazines to Meredith and instead will spin off Time Inc. with all of the titles. Laura Lang will leave her post as Time Inc. CEO, but stay on during a transition period.