Stocks finished lower Friday, despite a last-ditch attempt to rally, as technology shares took yet another hit — this time it was weak earnings from PC maker Dell. Still , for the week, the Dow gained about 50 points.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives on Monday in Washington on the first state visit of the Obama administration -- a tribute, both sides say, to the close natural ties between the two giant democracies.

Stocks declined Friday as technology shares took yet another hit — this time it was weak earnings from PC maker Dell. Merck was among the few gainers today as investors moved into classically safe bets like health care, consumer staples and utilities.

Stocks opened lower Friday as technology shares took yet another hit — this time it was weak earnings from PC maker Dell.

If AOL's announcement on Thursday of another 2,500 job cuts is anything to go by, the painful layoffs that have ravaged the media industry over the past year are nowhere near over.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives in Washington on Monday for a state visit set to boost the burgeoning economic relationship between two countries, which had relatively marginal commercial dealings a decade ago.

Stock index futures were slightly lower ahead of trading Friday, with technology shares pressured by a weak earnings report from PC maker Dell.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Talks between General Electric and Vivendi over the future of NBC Universal have stalled, the New York Times reported on Friday night.

General Electric and Vivendi are at least $1 billion apart in their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal, the Financial Times said on Thursday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Electric <GE.N> and Vivendi <VIV.PA> are at least $1 billion apart in their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal, the Financial Times said on Thursday.

Oprah Winfrey has long been considered among the most influential television talk show hosts in the United States for her in-depth interviews of politicians, celebrities and newsmakers of the day.

If AOL's announcement on Thursday of another 2,500 job cuts is anything to go by, the painful layoffs that have ravaged the media industry over the past year are nowhere near over.

By Sue Zeidler

Will Ferrell and British actor Ewan McGregor headed a Forbes.com list of Hollywood's most overpaid stars when looking at the financial returns of their movies.

Media mogul John Malone said Thursday that Comcast Corp.'s plan to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal would give it too much market power and force competitors to consider similar acquisitions.