According to Reuters, the FDA is trying to promote a culture that will allow dissenting opinions within the agency when it reviews new drugs.
Reuters writes that Wall St. is skeptical about an acqusition of Alcoa (AA).
Reuters reports that CVS (CVS) has increased its bid for Caremark (CMX) by increasing the proposed cash dividend to shareholders.
Reuters reports that German media Handelsblatt and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung have written the DaimlerChysler is considering spinning off its Chrysler unit.
The Wall Street Journal reports that DaimlerChrysler (DCX) is cutting 10,000 US jobs and closing plants in an effort to move away from pick-ups and SUVs and improve the Chrysler unit’s financial performance.
The Wall Street Journal writes that networking companies are benefitting from the rise in traffic and video on the internet. Cisco (CSCO), Juniper (JNPR), and Avici Systems (AVCI) have all shown improved results. Some companies that have not moved into upgrading their products, including Nortel (NT) and Alcatel-Lucent (ALU) may not benefit as much from the trends.
The Wall Street Journal writes that IBM (IBM) has developed new circuitry to store data on future microprocessing chips.
The WSJ reports that telecom gear makers could face pressure to have special dividends or buy back shares at Carl Icahn call on Motorola (MOT) to use its cash to improve its share price. Nokia (NOK) and Ericsson (ERIC) have balance sheets that could expose them to similar pressure.
The New York Times reports that four second tier rental car companies are considering merging: National, Alamo, Thrifty, and Dollar.
The New York Times writes that a copyright action in Belgium could change the way that Google (GOOG) indexes news and open more legal action against the search company in Europe.
The New York Times also reports that advertising may become a fact of life for the 2.2 mobile phones around the world.
FT reports that a probe into a blast at a US facility of BP (BP) may lead to the dismissal of some of the company’s management.
FT reports that deal terms in Vodafone’s (VOD) purchase of India cell company Essar allow the British company to cancel the deal if there is litigation to block the transaction.
Barron’s reports that Verizon’s (VZ) stock should get a boast because its wireless unit is being undervalued by the market.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Top Gaining Stocks
Top Losing Stocks