AP - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket items besides autos and airplanes showed surprising strength in April, raising hopes that manufacturing can help the economy shake off the slumping housing market and credit crisis.

Reuters - Like two movies going head to head on opening weekend, Netflix Inc and Blockbuster Inc made rival presentations to investors on Wednesday, as each DVD rental company vies to stay competitive in a converging marketplace.

Reuters - Ford Motor Co plans to cut its U.S. salaried work force by up to 12 percent after its turnaround plan stalled because of the downturn in the U.S. economy, the Detroit News reported on Wednesday.

Reuters - Dow Chemical Co , the biggest U.S. chemical manufacturer, said on Wednesday it would hike prices for all its products by up to 20 percent next month, the latest signal that escalating energy prices were stoking inflation.

Reuters - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday said Governor Frederic Mishkin is resigning effective August 31.

Reuters - Exxon Mobil Corp shareholders on Wednesday voted down a high-profile proposal urging the company to hire an independent chairman to lead its board.

AFP - Australia's second largest energy retailer Origin Energy Ltd said Wednesday it had requested a trading halt as it expected to make an announcement on a 12.9 billion dollar (12.3 billion US dollar) takeover offer from British energy giant BG Group by Friday.

Reuters - The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking into the workings of the three main credit rating agencies, prompted by their handling of the subprime crisis and a report of computer errors at Moody's .

AP - President Bush, sounding upbeat as consumer confidence swooned, said Tuesday that the government's effort to stimulate the economy is just starting to kick in.

Reuters - Exxon Mobil Corp has scrapped with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez over nationalized oil projects and sparred with U.S. senators over high oil prices.

Reuters - SEOUL (Reuters) -- General Electric named South Korea's LG Electronics (066570.KS) as a contender to buy its appliance business, which is valued at $4-$8 billion, along with others, including China's Haier Electronics Group Co Ltd (1169.HK), Mexico's Mabe and Turkey's Arcelik .

Reuters - Like two movies going head to head on opening weekend, Netflix Inc and Blockbuster Inc will make rival presentations to investors on Wednesday, as each DVD rental company tries to stay competitive in a converging marketplace.