US Business

Barclays has agreed to buy Tesco’s retail banking branch for a consideration of around $760 million.

Saab posted a forecast-beating rise in fourth-quarter earnings and raised its dividend as global defense spending continued to surge.

Tech leaders are trying to combat crime, drug abuse and homelessness. “Enough is enough, we’re getting involved in the muck.”

Unilever posted a better-than-expected operating profit for 2023, with underlying sales growth of 7%, and launched a buyback to start in the second quarter.

The Japanese carmaker cut its global sales forecast, projecting a decline in all major markets, after its third-quarter profit missed expectations.

AstraZeneca reported core earnings for the fourth quarter just short of consensus, but said it expected double-digit percentage growth in 2024.

British American Tobacco reported full-year adjusted profits below consensus but backed its growth forecast for 2024, and cautioned that investment to strengthen its U.S. business would weight its performance to the second half.

Maersk suspended its share buyback program as it moved to preserve cash, with uncertainty surrounding disruption in the Red Sea and as industry overcapacity continued to drag on freight rates.

Gucci owner Kering warned that recurring operating income in 2024 would fall short of last year’s figure, particularly in the first half, with investments and a normalization of sales growth across the sector seen weighing on its profits.

Barratt Developments has agreed to buy smaller housebuilder Redrow for £2.5 billion in an all-share deal.