Gazprom 2014 net profits plunge on ruble, Ukraine

Moscow (AFP) - Russia's gas giant Gazprom on Wednesday reported net profits in 2014 plunged sevenfold over the previous year, weighed down by fallout from the Ukraine crisis and the shrinking value of the ruble.

Apple Falls as Concern Over IPhone Growth Outweighs Earnings

Apple Inc.’s stock dropped amid concerns that the rapid iPhone growth beyond its earnings jump can’t continue.

Election 2015: Conservatives backed in small firms' letter

Conservatives to be "given the chance to finish what they started". Printed in the Daily Telegraph, it says the coalition has kept the UK "open for business" by keeping interest rates and inflation low and tackling the deficit.

Samsung Speeds Up Production of Curved S6 With Demand Soaring

Samsung Electronics Co. began production at a third factory for curved smartphone screens sooner than expected as demand surges for its Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Tesco hires brand director to turn around scandal-plagued image

Tesco has hired a new brand director to try to turn round the battered image of Britain’s biggest retailer. Michelle McEttrick, who will join the supermarket chain on 18 May, previously worked at Barclays for four years but left the bank a year ago, according to her profile on LinkedIn.

Microsoft's Q3 2015: Surface and Lumia up, but profit down

Microsoft has published its Q3 fiscal 2015 earnings report, and the company has made $4.98 billion in net income on $21.7 billion in revenue. Revenue has increased 6 percent from the same quarter last year, but net income has dropped 12 percent.

GM revenues hit by Russia and Brazil

US car giant General Motors has reported a fall in first quarter revenues, following lower demand from Brazil and Russia.

Australia, U.K. to Join on Multinationals Tax Avoidance Efforts

Australia and the U.K. will collaborate on ways to stop multinational companies diverting profits and avoiding taxes, according to Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey.

Goldman Sachs sees profits jump on stronger trading

US banking giant Goldman Sachs has reported a sharp rise in profits thanks in part to an improvement in trading activity at its investment banking arm.

Rolls-Royce receives record £6bn engine order

Rolls-Royce has received its largest order to date, worth £6.1bn ($9.2bn), to supply engines for 50 Emirates A380 planes.

E.U. Charges Google With Violating Antitrust Laws

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s antitrust chief on Wednesday formally accused Google of abusing its dominance in web searches to the detriment of competitors and began official proceedings into whether its Android smartphone software forces phone makers to favor the company’s own services and applications.

Nokia in Advanced Talks to Acquire Alcatel-Lucent Assets

Nokia Oyj is in advanced negotiations to acquire part of Alcatel-Lucent SA to strengthen its telecommunications-equipment business and better compete with Ericsson AB, according to people familiar with the matter.

McDonald's franchise workers denied pay raise to join 200-city protest

With a national day of action over low wages in the US approaching, a move by McDonald’s to quell pay protests by giving raises to workers at its 1,500 company-operated restaurants appears to have backfired, infuriating employees at 12,500 franchisee-operated restaurants who were passed over by the plan.

Extra Easyjet flights to tackle France strike backlog

Easyjet will run "rescue" flights and may put bigger planes on busy routes to deal with the after-effects of strikes by French air traffic controllers.

Apple Watch Debut Tests Cook’s No-Lines Gadget-Shopping Revamp

Before getting an Apple Watch, you’ll need to figure out how to buy it. Apple Inc.’s first new gadget since the iPad was unveiled five years ago -- and the first test of whether Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook can inspire the same sort of product magic as co-founder Steve Jobs -- arrives in stores Friday for previewing.

Wells Fargo: 'We like the new Microsoft,' so DON'T sell the stock

Is Microsoft's stock a good buy right now, hovering at about $41? Or is it overpriced, with another drop looming when management fails to meet consensus revenue and profit targets?

Europe takes on Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon

Europe is in the midst of a massive tussle with American tech giants. The European Union is getting increasingly worried about the dominance of Big Tech and has launched a program to boost the European tech sector.

Goldman Sachs gives away £17m to UK charities

Goldman Sachs’s charitable foundation gave away £17.4m in the UK last year, up from £14.5m the year before. Schools and universities received the largest proportion of funding from Goldman Sachs Gives, which gave away more than £4m for UK scholarships and education investments over the year, according to accounts recently filed to Companies House.

Apple, Spotify Streaming Music Deals Said to Be Probed by EU

The world’s largest record labels are being questioned by European Union regulators as part of a probe into their deals with music-streaming services from Apple Inc. and Spotify Ltd., according to three people familiar with the case.

McDonald's to raise wages for 90,000 US employees

Fast-food giant McDonald's says it will raise the pay of more than 90,000 US employees to at least $1 above the legal minimum wage.