Business Today: Stock futures ease with GDP on tap, Microsoft gains

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Good Morning Aron, FRI 29 Oct 2010    Stock futures ease with GDP on tap, Microsoft gains Toyota secretly bought problem cars, lawsuit says U.S. on track for "fiscal train wreck": Roubini Consumer spending lifts third-quarter growth Merck sales disappoint, takes big Vioxx charge Microsoft beats Street and knocks down Apple worry BA, Iberia swing to profit as premium traffic grows Total profits soar on higher oil, refining AIG's crown jewel AIA makes hot Hong Kong debut GM to repay taxpayers $2.1 billion as prepares for IPO Softbank calls for Japan e-highway Samsung faces Q4 challenge Financiers in Hong Kong slugfest Stock futures ease with GDP on tap, Microsoft gains October 29, 2010 08:04 AM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures eased on Friday, with a key reading due on economic growth and caution prompting profit-taking after a strong month. Full Article Toyota secretly bought problem cars, lawsuit says October 28, 2010 10:32 PM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Toyota secretly bought back from U.S. consumers vehicles it found with speed-control defects as part of a strategy to hide unintended-acceleration problems from safety regulators and the public, a revised lawsuit claims. Full Article U.S. on track for "fiscal train wreck": Roubini October 29, 2010 07:47 AM ET LONDON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy is a "fiscal train wreck" waiting to happen that risks ushering in a period of stagnation featuring by minimal growth, high unemployment and deflationary pressure, U.S. economist Nouriel Roubini wrote on Friday. Full Article Consumer spending lifts third-quarter growth October 29, 2010 08:37 AM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth edged up as expected in the third quarter but not enough to chip away at high unemployment or change perceptions of more monetary easing from the Federal Reserve next week. Full Article Merck sales disappoint, takes big Vioxx charge October 29, 2010 08:02 AM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck & Co reported disappointing quarterly sales on Friday and took an almost $1 billion charge related to a previously disclosed U.S. government probe of its recalled Vioxx arthritis drug. Full Article Microsoft beats Street and knocks down Apple worry October 29, 2010 01:17 AM ET SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp beat Wall Street's expectations with a 51 percent jump in quarterly profit, as higher sales of its flagship Windows and Office software knocked down fears Apple Inc's iPad would take a bite out of its main business. Full Article BA, Iberia swing to profit as premium traffic grows October 29, 2010 07:37 AM ET LONDON/MADRID (Reuters) - British Airways and merger partner Iberia expect further growth in 2011 after improved demand for premium-class travel and strict cost controls helped the pair return to profit. Full Article Total profits soar on higher oil, refining October 29, 2010 06:57 AM ET PARIS (Reuters) - French oil company Total posted a 54 percent profit rise on Friday as higher oil and gas prices and strong refining margins lift industry earnings worldwide. Full Article AIG's crown jewel AIA makes hot Hong Kong debut October 29, 2010 06:58 AM ET HONG KONG (Reuters) - AIA Group Ltd surged 17 percent in its Hong Kong debut as investors, chasing exposure to Asia's fast-growing life insurance business, piled into the record offering in the world's hottest IPO market. Full Article GM to repay taxpayers $2.1 billion as prepares for IPO October 29, 2010 01:29 AM ET DETROIT (Reuters) - In a series of moves that pave the way for an IPO and strengthen its finances, General Motors Co said on Thursday it would repay $2.1 billion to U.S. taxpayers and make early payments to pension and retiree health plans. Full Article

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