Reuters - Japan Tobacco Inc. confirmed on Friday it was in talks to buy smaller rival Gallaher Group Plc, in a 7.5 billion pound ($14.7 billion) deal that would extend its overseas expansion.

Reuters - Australia's competition regulator said on Friday it has started a review into an $8.7 billion buyout offer for Qantas Airways Ltd. from a group led by Macquarie Bank Ltd. and private equity firm Texas Pacific Group.

Reuters - Computer maker Dell Inc. filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday to delay its third-quarter financial report, citing ongoing regulatory investigations into its accounting and financial reporting matters.

Reuters - Bear Stearns Cos. said on Thursday quarterly net income soared 38 percent, helped by gains from fees for merger advice and underwriting debt.

Reuters - Adobe Systems Inc. said on Thursday quarterly profit rose on higher sales of its computer programs used for design, photo editing and document sharing.

AP - A Chinese engineer was charged Thursday with stealing trade secrets from a Silicon Valley company that made military training software and attempting to sell them to Asian governments.

Reuters - U.S. stocks surged on Thursday, driving the Dow industrials to a record close on strong earnings from companies such as investment bank Bear Stearns Cos. and an improving outlook for the U.S. economy.

The Motley Fool - Ask an average American whether it's better to own or rent your home, and you'll likely hear that owning is better. You get to build equity in an asset that's likely to appreciate in value over the long haul, and you can enjoy mortgage interest tax deductions as well. Some savvy sorts will point out, though, that renting is sometimes better -- such as when you're not going to stay in the same place too long, or if you're saving (and investing) money by renting and are earning good returns.

Reuters - Pier 1 Imports Inc. posted its seventh consecutive quarterly loss on Thursday as the home furnishings retailer spent more on advertising and cut prices to try to attract more business.