Business Today: Icahn, eBay trade accusations as fight escalates

	Click to View in Browser 02/24/2014 Icahn, eBay trade accusations as fight escalates NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire investor Carl Icahn accused eBay Inc Chief Executive John Donahoe of failing to spot - or ignoring - conflicts of interest on the company's board and called again for the spinoff of its fast-growing PayPal payments business. S&P 500 ends just shy of record close; insurers climb NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday and the S&P 500 hit a record intraday high, helped by gains in health insurers' shares and optimism about merger activity. Services growth slows in February: Markit NEW YORK (Reuters) - Growth in the services sector as well as the pace of hiring slowed in February, an industry report showed on Monday, the latest data to suggest an unusually cold winter is dragging on economic activity. Men's Wearhouse keeps up chase for Jos. A. Bank with higher offer (Reuters) - Men's Wearhouse Inc pressed on with its bid for Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc , boosting its offer by more than 10 percent in spite of the smaller company's effort to stay independent by buying outdoor clothing retailer Eddie Bauer. Data breach costs seen crimping Target's firepower for buybacks NEW YORK (Reuters) - Several analysts expect Target Corp to slash its share buybacks as the third-largest U.S. retailer copes with costs tied to the massive data breach that affected millions of customers. Harsh weather tests optimism over U.S. economy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Unusually cold weather will take a bite out of U.S. economic growth this quarter, but a rebound seems likely on the horizon and expectations for stronger growth this year have not changed. Senate committee sets date for Comcast, Time Warner Cable hearing WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing on March 26 to examine how the proposed merger of Comcast Corp and Time Warner Cable Inc would affect consumers, the committee's chairman said on Monday. UAW chief: Appeal in failed vote centers on outsiders, not VW (Reuters) - The head of the United Automobile Workers said on Monday that the union's appeal of a failed organizing effort at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will focus on the actions of outside parties, not the German automaker itself. AT&T speaking to Netflix about deal for faster speeds (Reuters) - AT&T Inc said it is talks with Netflix about a possible agreement to improve performance for broadband customers who use the streaming video service. Don't bet the farm; keep investments simple, diversified: Buffett NEW YORK (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett, known for his folksy straightforward communication style, turned to farming to recommend his winning strategy for investors to follow. Related Video Economists disagree on recession impact-NABE's Kleinhenz Greece finally resumes bailout talks Economic News Harsh weather tests optimism over U.S. economy Services growth slows in February: Markit A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend