- AP - Oil prices dropped nearly a dollar Monday as traders anticipated the upcoming Mideast cease-fire and responded to the positive news that BP would be able to maintain half of its production at a large oil field in the U.S. state of Alaska. Stock Futures Up After Agreed Cease-Fire - AP U.S. stock futures pointed to a strong early start on Monday, with a pullback in crude-oil futures after an agreed Israeli-Lebanese cease-fire among the factors giving traders confidence to start the week. HealthSouth Considering Sales, Spinoff - AP HealthSouth Corp., one of the nation's largest medical services chains, said Monday it may sell or spin off its surgical, outpatient and diagnostic businesses to trim debt. PepsiCo Names New Chief Executive - AP PepsiCo Inc. said Monday its president and chief financial officer Indra K. Nooyi will become chief executive officer of the world's second-largest soft-drink maker. Segway Launches 2 New Scooters - AP Segway Inc. has overhauled its self-balancing scooter with a new batch of technology that allows riders to start the device with a remote control and steer it simply by leaning in the direction they want to go. Euro-Zone Economies Grow 2.4 Pct. in 2Q - AP Economic growth in the 12 nations that use the euro accelerated to 2.4 percent in the second quarter, the European Union said Monday, raising its forecast for the third-quarter but cutting it for the fourth. Fed Chief Wants to Improve Communication - AP Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan left the door slightly ajar. His successor, Ben Bernanke, wants to open it a bit more. If investors, businesses and consumers have a better grasp of what the Fed is thinking about interest rates and the economy, they may be inclined to respond the way the central bank wants them to. 2 Ahold Shareholders Call for Breakup - AP Two shareholders of grocery store chain Royal Ahold NV called Monday for "drastic" changes to its corporate structure, including selling Ahold's U.S. assets -- the bulk of the company. Hundreds of Flights Canceled in Britain - AP Authorities warned Britons to remain vigilant on Sunday, saying that 24 separate terrorism probes under way showed they could still be in the crosshairs of Islamic militants even after security forces foiled an alleged plot to bring down packed planes heading to the United States. Prudhoe Bay Crews to Help Fix Pipeline - AP Pete Leathard, the CEO for energy services firm Veco Corp., thought his round of golf was going bad last weekend -- but it got worse when his cell phone rang as he approached the 15th hole. |