First-time jobless claims drop slightly (AP)
AP - The number of newly laid-off workers requesting jobless benefits fell slightly last week for the third straight time. But initial claims remain above levels that would signal net job gains.

Teva to buy German generic drug maker Ratiopharm (AP)

AP - Israeli drug maker Teva has beaten out rivals Pfizer and Actavis to acquire German generic drug maker Ratiopharm GmbH — in a deal announced Thursday worth some euro3.6 billion, or nearly $5 billion.

Consumer prices were unchanged in February (AP)
AP - Consumer prices were flat last month, as the weak economy limits the ability of companies to charge more for goods and services.

Current account deficit rises to $115.6B in 4Q (AP)
AP - The current account trade deficit widened in the fourth quarter, reflecting an improving economy, but the imbalance for all of 2009 fell to the lowest point in eight years. Economists believe the deficit will increase in 2010 but not return to the record heights seen before the recession.

IBM denies tax evasion in Japan (AFP)

AFP - IBM Japan on Thursday denied it had evaded taxes after news reports said authorities were probing whether it had failed to declare more than 4.4 billion dollars in income.

Stock futures edge up after price, jobs data (AP)

AP - Stock futures are rising slightly after reports on initial jobless claims and inflation nearly matched expectations.

SEC says Lehman report will be helpful (Reuters)
Reuters - A Lehman Brothers bankruptcy examiner's report will help securities regulators in their investigation of large financial firms involved in the Wall Street meltdown, a top regulator said on Wednesday.

Fed defends watchdog role (AFP)

AFP - Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called for his central bank to keep broad regulatory powers Wednesday, amid a fierce debate about how to police Wall Street.

China Mobile says 2009 profit up 2.3 percent (AP)

AP - China Mobile Ltd., the world's biggest phone carrier by subscribers, said Thursday its 2009 profit rose 2.3 percent over a year earlier and warned it faces growing competition.

Strikes in Greece over proposed tax law overhaul (AP)

AP - Greek unemployment rose to 10.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, the country's statistics agency said Thursday — the highest since 2005 and the largest jump in 11 years.

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