Business Today: S&P ends flat ahead of jobs report; Internet names gain

	Click to View in Browser 05/1/2014 S&P ends flat ahead of jobs report; Internet names gain NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow and S&P 500 ended nearly flat on Thursday as investors paused ahead of Friday's jobs report, though gains in Internet shares helped lift the Nasdaq. LinkedIn's sales outlook again falls short SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - LinkedIn Corp forecast 2014 revenue below Wall Street's expectations, underscoring concerns about its ability to sustain its rapid growth and helping to drag its shares more than 3 percent lower on Thursday. Strong consumer spending, factory data buoy U.S. growth outlook WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending recorded its largest gain in more than 4-1/2 years in March and factory activity accelerated last month, reinforcing views the economy was regaining steam. Carmakers see spring thaw as U.S. auto sales up 8 percent in April DETROIT (Reuters) - The U.S. auto industry in April rebounded sharply from a bitter and extended winter, with car sales rising 8 percent from the previous year. Exxon, Conoco see a quarterly payoff from natural gas HOUSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. oil companies Exxon Mobil Corp and ConocoPhillips both reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations on Thursday, helped partly by higher natural gas prices. Mulally to hand over Ford CEO job earlier than expected DEARBORN, Michigan (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co on Thursday made official what investors and analysts had been waiting for - Chief Executive Alan Mulally this summer will pass the baton of leadership to Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields, six months earlier than expected. Pfizer prepares sweeter bid for AstraZeneca: report (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc may sweeten its offer for Britain's AstraZeneca Plc to more than 63 billion pounds, or $106 billion, and raise the cash portion of the deal, to kickstart negotiations, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. Alcoa CEO to skip Russian forum at U.S.'s request (Reuters) - The chief executive of Alcoa Inc has canceled plans to attend Vladimir Putin's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum later this month, the U.S. aluminum producer said in a statement on Thursday. Nike CEO says could shift China production over labor strife BOSTON (Reuters) - Nike Chief Executive Mark Parker said on Thursday the footwear and athletic apparel company was considering shifting its production within China following a major strike at a supplier's factory. EBay settles with U.S. over pact to not poach employees WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The online commerce company eBay Inc has agreed to refrain from making deals with other technology companies to not poach each others' employees and by doing so limit workers' access to better jobs, U.S. authorities said on Thursday. Related Video Rebirth of a London icon Right and left march on May Day Economic News Strong consumer spending, factory data buoy U.S. growth outlook WTO says Russia seeks talks on EU energy regulations 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