Stocks point lower on economic worries U.S. stocks looked to extend their losses at the open Thursday as investors found little relief from worries about the fate of Detroit's three automakers and broader fears about the struggling economy.
Stock futures contracts fell more than 1 percent following a late-day sell-off Wednesday that sent stocks to their lowest levels since 2003. The major indexes fell more than 5 percent, while the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled below 8,000, a psychological benchmark for the market.
Investors who have been groping for a bottom to the yearlong market rout are now worried that Washington's disagreement over whether to bail out the auto industry could lead to bankruptcy of major automakers like General Motors Corp. and could send ripple effects through the economy _ including a further blow to consumer confidence.
BSkyB to raise $600 million in bond issue satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC said Tuesday it plans to raise $600 million in a bond issue to refinance existing debt and acquire new businesses.
BSkyB, whose biggest shareholder is Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., said it will pay 9.5 percent interest on the 10-year bond notes to be issued to institutional investors.
It expects the offer to close by Nov. 24.
Last month, BSkyB posted a 21 percent rise in third-quarter operating profit resulting from a sharp increase in new customers.
Bailout with a price: Chapter 11 bankruptcy Mention a corporate bailout in the nation's capital these days and chances are someone will offer a harsh condition to go along with it. Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Lately, the term 'prepackaged bankruptcy' has been gaining currency in the halls of Congress as lawmakers struggle with pleas for help from the auto industry.
The idea, embraced by some Democrats and Republicans, would extend taxpayer help in exchange for a company undergoing an accelerated Chapter 11 reorganization. The arrangement could represent a model, or a deterrent, for any other strapped companies considering seeking government help.
Big Three beg for aid as bailout bill stallsDetroit's Big Three auto makers are begging Congress for a $25 billion government rescue, while the legislation clings to life support on Capitol Hill and top lawmakers and the White House suffer from bailout ...
German solar energy company SolarWorld bids 1 billion euros for Opel assetsGerman solar energy company SolarWorld AG said Wednesday it plans to offer one billion euros for some assets of carmaker Adam Opel GmbH, the German subsidiary of General Motors Corp.
