Wal-Mart and Target Report Strong Sales

Wal-Mart and Target reported strong Thanksgiving Day traffic in stores and online as shoppers homed in on big-ticket electronic items. A host of retailers began offering doorbuster "Black Friday" sales Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m.

Malaysian Airline System Loss Widens

Malaysian Airline System reported a wider net loss in the third quarter as it prepares to be privatized after losing two aircraft this year.

Novartis Heart-Failure Treatment to Get Speedy EU Review

Novartis says an important new drug for treating heart failure has been granted an accelerated review by European authorities, improving its chances of approval in Europe next year.

Malaysia's Petronas to Review Spending

Malaysia's national oil-and-gas company Petronas said it is reviewing its spending plans for next year after reporting a 14% decline in third-quarter net profit on falling crude prices, even as it increased output.

Rio Tinto Committed to Higher Investor Returns in 2015

Rio Tinto, the world's No. 2 iron-ore miner, said it was committed to giving significantly more money back to shareholders in 2015 despite a sharp slide in iron-ore prices, reiterating plans for heftier returns to investors after years of heavy spending.

Norwegian Energy Company Net Loss Widens

Norwegian Energy Company said its third quarter net loss widened after booking writedowns of NOK1.8 billion from various production problems, and said it is continuing constructive talks with bondholders, creditors and shareholders as it expects an imminent covenant breach.