Industrials

Germany's biggest airline, Lufthansa, says it plans to sell its information technology infrastructure division to IBM as part of a deal aimed at reducing the company's IT costs.

The Machinists union sued Wichita-based aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems Friday over its reported efforts to sell off its fabrication operations, contending such outsourcing would violate its labor contract and put in imminent danger the jobs of at least 1,400 employees.

China is losing its appetite for dump trucks, iron ore and construction cranes.

Months of congestion are usually resolved with a splash. So, as soon as we see a break of either support or resistance, look for the subsequent move to be big.

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL), down $1.49 to $52.82 All of the airline's flights in the U.S. were temporarily grounded because of computer problems affecting "network connectivity." The Container Store Group Inc. (TCS), up 43 cents to $17.93 The storage products retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter profit, but revenue fell short of forecasts.

Better earnings and rising oil prices are pushing U.S. stocks higher in early trading.

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE Delta Air Lines Inc., up $1.12 to $44.20 The airline reported a surge in first-quarter profit on more passengers and cheaper fuel, beating Wall Street expectations.

Flash-memory chip maker SanDisk is cutting its fiscal first-quarter revenue forecast partly because of lower-than-expected sales of enterprise products and lower pricing in some areas of the business.

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE Oracle Corp., up $1.26 to $44.13 The software company reported mixed fiscal third-quarter profit and revenue but said its cloud services business grew.

Retailer Target has cut its minimum online purchase to qualify for free shipping to $25 from $50.

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE United States Steel Corp., up $2.31 to $23.58 The steel company reported a drop in fourth-quarter profit and revenue, but the results beat Wall Street expectations.

European stocks drifted lower and Asian markets were mostly higher Tuesday as investors calmed from initial jitters over Greece's election result.

U.S. factory production rose in December as manufacturers churned out more furniture, computers and steel, offsetting a small decline in autos.

Didn't like that boring beige sweater your aunt gave you as a holiday gift? Time is running out to return unwanted holiday gifts that are still hanging around.

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE Halliburton Co., down 99 cents to $41.21 The oil drilling services company and its peers are reeling from falling oil prices, which hit a five-year low Monday before rebounding.

Hopes for fresh stimulus from the European Central Bank and China's steady growth bolstered Asian stock markets Wednesday after the S&P 500 had its best day of the year.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says IBM's electronics plant in Essex Junction is expected to keep operating in the state as IBM plans to sell its semiconductor production business to GlobalFoundries.

IBM will pay $1.5 billion to Globalfoundries in order to shed its costly chip division.

Globalfoundries' chief executive says the chip manufacturer plans no shutdowns or layoffs at IBM's semiconductor factories in New York's Hudson Valley and Vermont.

Global stocks sank Friday after Wall Street suffered its worst day of the year and weak German trade data fueled worry Europe is sliding into recession.