DAIMLER WILL SPEND $500 MILLION ON S.C. VAN FACTORY 

Daimler AG plans to spend $500 million to build a Mercedes-Benz van factory in South Carolina, said people familiar with the matter. The move comes after state officials promised tens of millions in grants, property tax abatements and training support. (published 0234 GMT)

 
 
SOMPO JAPAN NIPPONKOA: CONSIDERING BUYING STAKE IN FRANCE'S SCOR 

Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings Inc. said it is considering buying a stake in French reinsurance giant Scor SE, in a deal that could reportedly be worth over $900 million. (published 0043 GMT)

 
 
FOSUN UNIT TO INVEST IN U.K. TRAVEL GROUP THOMAS COOK 

Fosun International Ltd., a major private-owned conglomerate in China, said Friday its unit will invest about 91.85 million pound sterling in the U.K. travel group Thomas Cook Group PLC, in a bid to open up opportunities to boost the group's value. (published 0510 GMT)

 
 
WEAK CHINESE NEW YEAR TOURISM DRAGS SALES OF HONG KONG LUXURY RETAILERS 

Hong Kong retailers of luxury goods continue to bear the brunt of weak consumer demand from mainland China, with steep sales declines over the Chinese New Year period sending their shares to recent lows. (published 0441 GMT)

 
 
ELAINE WYNN LAUNCHES BID FOR BOARD SEAT -- 4TH UPDATE 

Wynn Resorts Ltd. co-founder Elaine Wynn has launched a bid to retain a seat on the casino operator's board, which is trying to oust her. (published 0343 GMT)

 
 
APPLE PAY STUNG BYLOW-TECHFRAUDSTERS 

Apple Inc.'s new mobile-payment system has been hit by a wave of fraudulent transactions using credit-card data stolen in recent breaches of big retailers, including Home Depot Inc. and Target Corp., people familiar with the matter said. (published 0050 GMT)

 
 
HOSA INTERNATIONAL: 2014 NET PROFIT UP 8.9% AT CNY403.2 MILLION 

Hosa International Ltd., a mid-to-high end sportswear products manufacturer, said 2014 net profit rose 8.9% from a year earlier, on demand from China's sports and health industries. (published 0544 GMT)

 
 
HI SUN TECHNOLOGY 2014 NET PROFIT JUMPS TO HK$397.07 MILLION 

Hi Sun Technology Ltd. posted strong growth for its 2014 net profit thanks to disposal gains and higher revenue. (published 0038 GMT)

 
 
MAN WAH HOLDINGS REPURCHASES HK$32.22 MILLION WORTH OF SHARES ON MARCH 5 

Man Wah Holdings Ltd. repurchased 32.22 million Hong Kong dollars worth of shares in the stock market in a bid to improve returns to shareholders. (published 0017 GMT)

 
 
ICEBERG RESEARCH RELEASES RESPONSE TO NOBLE GROUP'S REBUTTAL OF CRITICISM 

Iceberg Research renewed its battle with Singapore-listed commodities trader Noble Group in a note Friday that responds to Noble's earlier defense of its accounting methods. (published 0154 GMT)

 
 
ECOPETROL NAMES FORMER FINANCE MINISTER JUAN CARLOS ECHEVERRY CEO -- UPDATE 

A former finance minister with close ties to the government was elected as the new chief executive of Ecopetrol, directors at Colombia's troubled state-controlled oil company said Thursday night. (published 0454 GMT)