Archive for July, 2008

Dow and S&P fall on Exxon and weak economic data

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Thursday, led by Exxon Mobil after its earnings fell short of Wall Street's expectations and as disappointing economic data revived fears of a U.S. recession.

GM discusses sale of Hummer brand

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

General Motors is discussing the sale of its Hummer brand with a number of potential buyers, the firm says.

Auto sales seen down sharply in July

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

DETROIT (Reuters) - Automakers are expected to report on Friday that U.S. auto sales fell for a ninth consecutive month in July, as the industry hits its worst showing in 15 years.

Freddie Mac boosts mortgage servicer incentives

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Freddie Mac , the second-biggest provider of funding for U.S. residential mortgages, on Thursday said it is boosting incentives to mortgage servicing companies to help more borrowers renegotiate loans in an effort to curb rising delinquencies.

S&P cuts Big Three carmaker ratings lower into junk

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Standard & Poor's on Thursday cut ratings on all three major U.S. automakers deeper into junk status, citing expected losses due to higher gas prices and a weakening U.S. economy.

HBOS pre-tax profits fall by 72%

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

HBOS sees profits before tax fall 72% in the first six months of the year as write-offs and bad debts rise sharply.

Anger over £1bn Centrica profits

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Consumer groups express anger as British Gas owner Centrica reports £992m in profits, a day after raising gas prices 35%.

Shoppers keep recession at bay

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Jul. 31 - The U.S. economy grew in the second quarter thanks to economic stimulus checks given to consumers.

Oil drops 2 percent after weak jobs data

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil fell more than 2 percent on Thursday as weak U.S. economic data reinforced worries about shrinking fuel demand in the world's top energy consumer.

Marathon mulls splitting in two; shares jump

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marathon Oil Corp may split its oil and gas production business and its refining and marketing operations into separate entities, the company said on Thursday, sending its shares higher.