Is Ford offer to quit tempting enough?

For Rick McDonald, the biggest gamble of his young life comes down to whether he believes Ford Motor Co can turn itself around.

Firm to pay out $1,000 bonuses

Ford Motor Co on Wednesday said that it would pay out bonuses to all of its employees in North America - including $1,000 payouts to hourly workers - despite reporting a loss of $2.7 billion last year.

Fiat may make Alfa Romeos in US

Fiat SpA, the largest manufacturer in Italy, will reintroduce Alfa Romeo cars in the United States in the next two years and is considering whether to make the vehicles there, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne said.

Europe's wealthy diversify investments

Europe's wealthiest families are planning to shift their investments further away from traditional assets into alternatives such as hedge funds and commodities.

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Business International

French lender reports $1.3b Q4 loss

Credit Agricole SA, France's second-largest bank by assets, posted its first quarterly loss since the company went public in 2001 after adding to writedowns linked to US subprime mortgages.

UK, Asian demand boosts Britain's biggest builder

Balfour Beatty Plc, Britain's biggest builder, said full-year profit surged 66 percent on buoyant markets in the United Kingdom and Asia, as well as last year's acquisition of Texas-based Centex Construction.

Tata 'seeks $3b loan' for auto brands

Tata Motors Ltd, the Indian automaker that's in talks to buy Ford Motor Co's Jaguar and Land Rover luxury units, is seeking to raise $3 billion in loans to fund the purchase, according to three people with direct knowledge of the deal.

European stocks bounce back

European stocks climbed for the first time in six days, led by banks, phone companies and automakers, on speculation they have fallen too much compared with earnings.

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Business International