Barclays in $280m settlement with US regulators

Barclays agreed to a $280m (£167m) settlement with the US Federal Housing and Finance Authority (FHFA).

Wal-Mart Names China CEO to Head Asia as Regional Sales Slow

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) named its top China executive to head its Asian operations amid store closures and sluggish sales in the region that have hampered the retailer’s attempts to counter slowing growth in the U.S.

Microsoft and Nokia complete mobile phone unit deal

Microsoft has completed its purchase of Nokia's mobile phone business for 5.44bn euros ($7.5bn; £4.5bn).

Facebook earnings surge on mobile advertising

Social networking giant Facebook has reported profits of $642m (£383m) during the first quarter of 2014, beating analyst expectations.

GM accused of hiding ignition flaws in 2009 bankruptcy

Lawyers pressing cases against General Motors say the automaker concealed the controversial ignition defect when it "took billions of dollars in taxpayer money" during its government-sponsored bankruptcy in 2009.

Pharmaceutical shares soar after Novartis and Glaxo deal

Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline have agreed a multibillion dollar swap of assets under which the two pharmaceutical companies will join forces in the consumer healthcare sector combining brands including Aquafresh, Beechams and Tixylix and exchange their oncology and vaccine businesses.

Halliburton reports $622m profits

US oil exploration firm Halliburton has reported better-than-expected first quarter profits, helped by robust drilling activity in Russia, Saudi Arabia and Angola.