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Thursday, May 4, 2017

U.S. jobless claims fall, continuing claims hit 17-year low

WASHINGTON - New applications for U.S. jobless benefits fell more than expected last week and the

U.S. trade deficit improves slightly in March

WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit improved slightly in March amid broad declines in both imports

S&P 500 tech index edges toward $5 trillion while Apple steals spotlight

NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - While some investors have been waiting for Apple's market capitalization to reach $1 trillion, those looking for big round numbers might be better off looking to the S&P 500 technology index as a whole, which is approaching the $5 trillion mark.

Film business, higher affiliate fees lift Viacom's revenue

(Reuters) - Viacom Inc , the owner of MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, reported a quarterly revenue that handily beat estimates, helped by growth in its filmed entertainment unit as well as higher affiliate revenue.

Apple to create $1 billion U.S. advanced manufacturing fund

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc plans to create a $1 billion fund to invest in U.S. companies that perform advanced manufacturing, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said on Wednesday, the iPhone maker's latest effort to show how it is creating U.S. jobs.

United Air to face second congressional grilling at Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - United Airlines will be back in the hot seat on Thursday when the U.S. Congress holds its second hearing this week to examine the circumstances surrounding the forced removal of a passenger from a Chicago flight last month.

China's Ant set to ink $3.5 billion loan to help fund MoneyGram bid - Basis Point

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Ant Financial, an affiliate of online shopping giant Alibaba Group , is close to signing a $3.5 billion loan a part of which will help fund its purchase of U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International , Thomson Reuters Basis Point reported.

Spam campaign targets Google users with malicious link

(Reuters) - Alphabet Inc warned its users to beware of emails from known contacts asking them to click on a link to Google Docs after a large number of people turned to social media to complain that their accounts had been hacked.

Macron, earnings hopes send European shares to 20-month high

LONDON (Reuters) - Signs that centrist Emmanuel Macron was heading for victory in France's presidential election and reassuring results from HSBC pushed European shares to a near two-year high on Thursday, despite some wary signals from China and commodity markets.

Advisory firms urge BP shareholders to back revised pay scheme

LONDON (Reuters) - Three investor advisories have recommended BP shareholders vote in favor of a new remuneration policy after the oil and gas company lowered Chief Executive Bob Dudley's pay scheme, according to notes to clients seen by Reuters.