NEW YORK (AP) — The major stock indexes are all in positive territory in afternoon trading as investors assess the latest corporate merger news. Traders are applauding an acquisition by Abbott Labs and have sent shares in Pfizer higher despite AstraZeneca’s board rejecting its takeover offer. Meanwhile, AT&T and DirecTV are both lower amid talk of a merger.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google has made another acquisition. It’s bought Divide, a startup that helps companies manage mobile devices that employees rely on for work. Google is counting on Divide’s technology to make companies feel more comfortable about allowing their employees to use Android devices for business email and other on-the-job tasks involving sensitive information. The deal is part of Google’s effort to widen corporate usage of smartphones and tablets running on its mobile operating system, Android.
NEW YORK (AP) — Small-company stocks are moving higher. They began losing ground in March as investors turned to larger stocks, emphasizing value over growth. But today’s advance in the Russell 2000 index is leading some market watchers to believe small stocks have been oversold. Liz Ann Sonders at Charles Schwab says some of the areas hit hardest in the last couple of months now “seem to be finding their legs.”
NEW YORK (AP) — The FBI says more than a half million computers in more than 100 countries were infected by sophisticated malware that lets cybercriminals take over a computer and hijack its webcam. The FBI describes it investigation as charges against more than 100 people worldwide were announced. The malicious software called BlackShades lets hackers steal personal information, intercept keystrokes and hijack webcams to make secret recordings of users.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — In her first public appearance since her dismissal from The New York Times, former executive editor Jill Abramson is telling graduates at Wake Forest University that like them, she doesn’t know what’s next for her, and that she, too, is scared and excited. Times Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. has denied reports that Abramson’s dismissal had to do with complaints over unequal pay or the company’s treatment of women. He cites Abramson’s newsroom management style.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
