Reuters Before the Bell-Read Before Play

Futures extend losses on credit woes, oil

July 11, 2008 07:28 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures extended losses on Friday as investors worried about the widening impact of the credit crisis on the financial sector and the outlook for government-sponsored mortgage buyers Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Government considers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac takeover: report

July 11, 2008 07:30 AM ET

HONG KONG (Reuters) - The government is considering taking over mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac if their funding problems worsen, in a plan that could leave shareholders nothing, the New York Times reported, citing people briefed on the matter.

Oil hits new record as supply fears intensify

July 11, 2008 07:12 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil jumped over $4 to a new record high near $146 a barrel on Friday, spurred by growing worries of threats to supplies from Iran and Nigeria and a strike of Brazilian oil workers next week.

GE profit meets expectations, shares up

July 11, 2008 07:38 AM ET

BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co on Friday posted a second quarter profit that met Wall Street forecasts, helped by better-than-expected results at the company's finance operations and sending shares higher in early trading.

InBev close to deal on Bud brewer: report

July 11, 2008 06:42 AM ET

(Reuters) - U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc is in active talks to sell itself to Belgian brewer InBev NV in a friendly deal, the New York Times said on its website, citing people briefed on the matter.

Citigroup sells German business for $8 bln

July 11, 2008 07:36 AM ET

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Citigroup is selling its German retail business to France's Credit Mutuel for more than $8 billion as the biggest U.S. bank grapples with the global markets crisis.

Independent Yahoo is better for business: Google

July 11, 2008 05:39 AM ET

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO (Reuters) - An independent Yahoo Inc is better for business, Google Inc Chief Executive told reporters on Thursday, saying a combination with Microsoft Corp would be anti-competitive.

Oil-hit plane makers’ brace as biggest air show looms

July 11, 2008 07:05 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - The world's biggest air show opens in Farnborough near London next week with jetliner manufacturers facing a drop in orders due to high oil prices and global defense firms bracing for slower spending growth.

Apple's new iPhone snapped up in Asia and Europe

July 11, 2008 07:21 AM ET

LONDON/WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Apple's new iPhone made its hotly awaited debut on Friday, with buyers storming stores in Asia and queues forming in European cities.

Rockwell Collins profit rises

July 11, 2008 07:41 AM ET

NEW YORK, July 11 (Reuters) - Rockwell Collins Inc ,which makes cockpit electronics and other plane parts for Boeing Co and Airbus , said on Friday its fiscal third-quarter profit rose, helped by expanding margins in its commercial and government businesses.

Taken from the source: Reuters Before the Bell Newsletters.