NEW YORK, May 24- General Growth Properties Inc has paired with Brookfield Office Properties Inc to bid for an expensive New York building in what could mark the No. 2 U.S. mall owner's entry into a new segment of the retail real estate market, according to two sources familiar with the deal.

*China second to U.S. in 2012 luxury retail growth. *Top brands expanding across the United States. Ephraim is the kind of man who gives luxury goods makers high hopes that the U.S. market can fuel future growth, as China runs out of steam and demand in Europe sags.

NEW YORK, May 23- U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday but finished sharply off their session lows as a rally in Hewlett-Packard's shares offset worries about weak Chinese manufacturing data and the prospects of the Federal Reserve reducing its monetary stimulus.

NEW YORK, May 23- U.S. stocks edged down on Thursday but rebounded sharply from their session lows as a rally in Hewlett-Packard's shares offset worries about weak Chinese manufacturing data and the prospects of the Federal Reserve reducing its monetary stimulus.

NEW YORK, May 23- U.S. stocks mostly edged lower on Thursday but were sharply off their session lows as a rally in Hewlett-Packard's shares offset worries about weak Chinese manufacturing data and the prospects of the Federal Reserve reducing its monetary stimulus.

NEW YORK, May 23- U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday, recovering from session lows as encouraging domestic economic data and a rally in Hewlett-Packard's shares offset concerns about the timing of any reduction in the Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus.

*China manufacturing data shows contraction. NEW YORK, May 23- U.S. stocks dropped on Thursday, with the S&P 500 on pace for its first back-to-back daily drop in a month amid investor concerns the U.S. Federal Reserve's stimulus may be scaled back sooner than hoped and after weak data in China.

*China manufacturing data shows contraction. NEW YORK, May 23- U.S. stocks were set for a lower open on Thursday, with the S&P 500 on track for its first back-to-back daily drop in a month, amid investor concerns the U.S. Federal Reserve's stimulus may be scaled back sooner than hoped and over weak data in China.

May 23- Ralph Lauren Corp on Thursday reported sales that fell below its own projections, hurt by fewer deliveries to European department stores, but gave a fiscal year forecast that suggests it expects its overall business to pick up. In February, Ralph Lauren had forecast revenue would be up by a mid single-digit percentage.

May 23- Ralph Lauren Corp on Thursday reported a higher quarterly profit, helped by a jump in sales at its own stores and lower cotton costs. Ralph Lauren forecast companywide revenues will rise 4 percent to 7 percent in the new fiscal year. At Ralph Lauren's own stores open at least a year, which generate about half of sales, revenue was up 7 percent.

*Wells Fargo stake grows to nearly $17 billion. May 15- Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc on Wednesday revealed a new investment in Chicago Bridge& Iron Co and said it has added to its largest equity holding, Wells Fargo& Co..

WASHINGTON, April 22- Clothing retailer Ralph Lauren Corp will pay more than $1.6 million to settle a criminal and civil investigation of allegations that one of its subsidiaries bribed government officials in Argentina.

*Revenue rose 2.2 percent to $1.85 billion. Feb 6- Both Ralph Lauren Corp's holiday quarter results on Wednesday and its early sales forecast for next year pointed to renewed momentum for the fashion company after a rough patch in 2012, sending shares to their highest levels since May.

NEW YORK, Feb 6- U.S. stocks were little changed in late morning trading on Wednesday as investors awaited fresh trading incentives after recent rallies took the S&P 500 to five-year highs. Transportation stocks were among the worst performers, weighed down by a 10- percent drop in CH Robinson Worldwide to $60.49 after it reported fourth-quarter earnings.

NEW YORK, Feb 6- U.S. stocks dipped on Wednesday as investors, awaiting fresh trading incentives, locked in profits after recent rallies took the S&P 500 to five-year highs.

NEW YORK, Feb 6- U.S. stocks were poised to open lower Wednesday, indicating the S&P 500 may retreat as it faces resistance to further gains beyond five-year highs in the wake of a 1- percent rally on Tuesday.

Feb 6- Ralph Lauren Corp on Wednesday reported holiday quarter sales and profits that showed renewed momentum after a rough patch earlier in the year, helped by steady business in the Americas and improvement in Europe.

Feb 6- Ralph Lauren Corp reported a higher quarterly profit for a holiday season it said had been strong, helped by solid momentum in the Americas and improvement in Europe. Net income rose 27.6 percent to $215.7 million, or $2.31 per share, in the third quarter ended Dec. 29, from $169.0 million, or $1.78 per share, a year earlier.