Business International

Hewlett-Packard buys EDS for $13.9b

Hewlett-Packard Co, the world's biggest personal-computer maker, agreed to buy Electronic Data Systems Corp for $13.9 billion to more than double its sales from computer services. The company raised its full-year profit and sales forecasts for the year.

Ghosn expects huge drop in net income

Nissan Motor Co, Japan's third- largest automaker, forecast the biggest drop in net income in nine years because of a stronger yen and weaker demand in the United States, its most profitable market.

Trio of lenders report slump in Q1 earnings

Societe Generale SA, Fortis and Credit Agricole SA, three of Europe's biggest banks, said first-quarter earnings declined after losses in the credit markets.

Oil little changed on demand forecast

Crude oil was little changed in New York after the International Energy Agency lowered its demand forecast because higher prices are curbing consumption.

Buffett's healthcare investment proves to be bad bet

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc has increasingly invested in healthcare stocks since last year, and the strategy has been a bad bet so far. It won't take long to find out whether the company is doubling down.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Indian factory output up at slowest pace since '02

India's industrial production grew at the slowest pace since 2002 in March as borrowing costs at a six-year high discouraged consumers from buying cars and motorcycles.

Wal-Mart to profit from price cuts

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest retailer, may report today that first-quarter profit rose after discounts lured Target Corp and Macy's Inc customers coping with record gasoline prices.

Blackberry Bold hopes to shake Apple's tree

Research In Motion Ltd unveiled a BlackBerry phone with quicker Web browsing and more room for songs and videos, getting a jump on a faster iPhone that analysts expect next month.

Rose set for a roasting at M&S annual meeting

Stuart Rose, chief executive of British retailer Marks and Spencer, will face tough questions when he takes to the stage at the company's annual results event on May 20.