Medical products maker Becton Dickinson and Co. said Tuesday its board of directors approved a 12.1 percent boost to its quarterly dividend.

Becton Dickinson and Co. said Friday it bought molecular diagnostic test maker HandyLab Inc. for $275 million.

What follows is a roundup of corporate earnings reports for Wednesday, Nov. 4.

A study of rapid influenza tests found they miss many cases of swine flu and U.S. health experts said on Thursday they are not worth the trouble for this flu season.

As the swine flu spreads, many doctors and hospitals are turning to rapid tests that can determine within minutes whether an anxious patient has the flu. Sales of such tests are soaring. But the tests have a severe limitation: They may fail more than half the time to detect swine flu infections, according to newly published studies and to experts in medical testing.

Stocks rallied Thursday as investors were encouraged by the latest jobless report and round of corporate earnings.

Stocks rallied Thursday as investors were encouraged by the latest jobless report and round of corporate earnings.

Futures indicated a higher open for Wall Street on Thursday as investors were encouraged by the latest jobless report and round of corporate earnings.