According to Reuters, quotes The New York Times as reporting that Wal-Mart’s (WMT) former ad agency sent the company a report warning that being the low price provider worked against the company in sales of items including electronics, apparel, and pharmacy supplies.
Reuters writes that Ford (F) expects its retail sales to rise for the first time in six months. Total sales will drop as the company cuts ties with car rental firms.
Comuter Discount Warehouse (CDWC) is being sold to Madison Dearborn for $7.3 billion.
Reuters writes that, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics, overall semiconductor sales worldwide will be up only 2.3% and not the 8.6% previously forecast.
Reuters writes that Interncontental Exchange (ICE) has reached a deal with the Chicago Board Options Exchange that may make its bid for CBOT (BOT) more attractive. To "settle the dispute (between CBOT and CBOE), both ICE and CBOE would offer to pay the approximately 1,330 CBOT members in question a total of $500,000 each."
The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft (MSFT) will introduce a table-top computer that will work with a touchscreen.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Pulte Homes (PHM) will cut 16% of it workforce.
The Wall Street Journal writes that Broadcom (BRCM) won a patent fight with rival Qualcomm (QCOM).
The New York Times reports that China is tripling the tax on trading stocks.
The New York Times writes that IBM (IBM) has borrowed over $11 billion for share buybacks.
The FT writes that BP (BP) has landed at $900 million gas deal in Libya.
Barron’s writes that many tobacco stocks are benefitting from merger talks but British Tobacco and Lorillard look good on their own.