Sensata Technologies Holding BV, which makes engineered sensors and controls for manufacturers in the automotive, aircraft and other industries, plans to raise up to $500 million in an initial public offering.

BRUSSELS/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The European Commission closed antitrust proceedings against Qualcomm <QCOM.O> as big technology companies dropped their four-year old complaints against the U.S. mobile chip supplier.

Signs of a subdued U.S. economic recovery sent investors out of stocks Thursday and in search of safer assets like the dollar.

(Reuters) - BofA Merrill Lynch lowered its 2010 growth forecast for global semiconductor industry and downgraded ten chipmakers, including Intel Corp <INTC.O>, turning more cautious on the group on expectations of a modest overshoot in global supply chain inventories.

Tech heavyweights Cisco Systems and EMC dampened speculation the two companies would merge as they announced Tuesday a broad partnership to develop data center technology, taking on rivals IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

U.S. companies hurt by the global credit crisis are continuing to hold more cash, even as the economy begins to show signs of improvement, the Wall Street Journal said, citing its analysis of company filings.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  The Dow shed more than 50 points, or 0.5 percent, but still held above 10,000. The S&P and Nasdaq each lost about 0.6 percent.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  Apple and Caterpillar surged after their earnings blew past forecasts.

Futures were poised for a modestly higher open on the strength of more earnings surprises from some of Wall Street's leading companies.

Texas Instruments beat earnings forecasts Monday and posted better-than-expected revenue, sending shares higher in afteroon trading.

Stocks rallied Monday, after a wobbly start, as investors were optimistic about the slew of earnings ahead.

Stocks rallied Monday, after a wobbly start, as techs dragged but investors were optimistic about the slew of earnings ahead.

Stocks moved higher Monday, after a wobbly start, as techs dragged but investors were optimistic about the slew of earnings ahead.

Good news for a Monday morning: stock index futures are pointing to a modestly higher open this morning, rather than what happened exactly 22 years ago today - the infamous crash of 1987. 

Stocks edged up Thursday, with a brighter outlook from Procter & Gamble and a better-than-expected jobless claims report, countering a dim forecast from Monsanto.