Money

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slightly more people sought U.S. unemployment benefits last week, but the number of applications remained at a historically low level suggesting a strong job market. The Labor Department says weekly applications rose by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 244,000. The less volatile four-week average fell 2,750 to 242,250. Applications are a close […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy got off to a lackluster start during the first three months of 2017, though it had a bit more momentum than earlier estimates indicated. The Commerce Department says the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic health, grew at an annual rate of 1.4 percent in the first […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Walgreens has ended its takeover pursuit of rival Rite Aid following resistance from U.S. regulators and will instead now buy stores, distribution centers and inventory in a new deal. The proposed merger, first announced in 2015, was initially for about $9.4 billion but was whittled down to about $6.8 billion earlier […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Meal-kit delivery company Blue Apron priced the shares it’s selling in its initial public offering at the low end of its expected range, a sign that it might be having trouble attracting investors. The New York company said that the 30 million shares in its IPO would be priced at $10 […]

TOKYO (AP) — Western Digital Corp. lashed back against its joint venture partner Toshiba on Thursday in a deepening feud over the Japanese company’s plan to sell its computer memory business. In response to Toshiba’s announcement a day earlier that it was suing Western Digital, seeking 120 billion yen ($1.1 billion) in damages, Western Digital […]

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean companies announced Thursday plans to import more American shale gas and build new factories in the U.S. as the two countries’ leaders prepare to hold summit talks in Washington where trade is expected to be a key issue. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, South Korea’s largest […]

LONDON (AP) — The euro and the British pound, Europe’s top two currencies, extended gains Thursday as investors focused on recent central bank comments about the possibility of tighter monetary policy. Stocks were mixed ahead of U.S. economic data, including the latest revision to first-quarter growth. KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, Germany’s DAX fell 0.1 percent […]

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Nguyen Kim Lan used to make a decent living shuttling customers around town on his Honda motorbike. But his clientele has dwindled as young and tech-savvy Vietnamese increasingly use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab to summon cheaper, safer motorbike taxis. The expansion of the ride-hailing services across Southeast Asia is […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is buying office supplies chain Staples for $6.9 billion. The companies said Wednesday that shareholders of Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples will get $10.25 per share. Staples’ stock closed Wednesday up 77 cents, or 8.4 percent, to $9.93, fueled by a late-afternoon report of a deal. The stock […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily on Wednesday: General Mills Inc., up 90 cents to $56.42 The maker of cereals and packaged foods had a better fourth quarter than investors expected. Spectranetics Corp., up $7.95 to $38.35 The medical device company agreed to be bought by Dutch conglomerate Phillips for […]