A round-up of today's other stories in brief
US jobs data good news for optimists
Ben Bernanke's optimism that the US economy is heading for a soft landing received a lift yesterday as data showing strong job creation last month forced more pessimistic bond investors into retreat.
The figures showed employers added more staff to payrolls than expected as 132,000 jobs were created, in spite of a slowdown in sectors such as construction and manufacturing.
The Federal Reserve chairman thinks the market has tended to overreact to recent negative data, and yesterday's figures will encourage his view that the economy remains reasonably robust. - (Financial Times service)
HP to pay $14.5m to settle claims
Hewlett-Packard has agreed to pay $14.5 million to settle civil claims arising from the investigation into boardroom leaks that plunged the company into crisis this year.
The deal, agreed with California's top prosecutor on Thursday, absolved the company and its officers, including Mark Hurd, chairman and chief executive, of state civil liability arising from the scandal.
It comes as Patricia Dunn, HP's former chairman, and four others are facing criminal charges for their roles in the leak investigation in which HP's operatives spied on board members, journalists and their families to identify the source of a boardroom leak. - (Financial Times service)
Barclays shares race to new high
Shares in UK bank Barclays raced to a new high as speculation mounted that Bank of America could bid for the UK bank, even though a sale of shares by Barclays' outgoing chairman signalled no approach had been made.
Barclays chairman Matt Barrett said yesterday he exercised share options and sold 2.3 million shares the day before, netting £6.5 million. He would not have been able to do so if an approach had been made, and analysts said the move also indicated he thought a bid was unlikely.
But investors shrugged off the transaction after a leading broker said there was strong merit to a takeover. - (Reuters)
Conroy discovers gold-bearing area
Conroy Diamonds and Gold said it has discovered an extensive gold-bearing area at its recently acquired Sodankyla licence in Finland.
The company said soil sampling had revealed a shallow gold-in-soil linear anomaly measuring 750 metres by 300 metres. Nickel and chrome samples were also found at the site.
Northwest plans 'alternatives'
Northwest Airlines plans to hire a set of bankers to examine "strategic alternatives", increasing speculation that the airline might attempt to mount a competing bid for Delta Air Lines.
The US airline industry has been in a state of flux since Phoenix-based US Airways last month made an unsolicited bid for Delta worth $8.7 billion.
All the large carriers have been closely monitoring how to respond to the move. - (Financial Times service)
African Diamonds completes drilling
African Diamonds yesterday announced the completion of drilling at its AK6 diamond discovery near Orapa in Botswana.
The company, which is developing mines in Botswana and West Africa, said results from seven of the 12 holes have now been released, with the latest two indicating the presence of more than 600 stones of at least 50 carats in each.
