Business Today: Slowing economy drives S&P down in April

Click to View in Browser 04/30/2012 Slowing economy drives S&P down in April NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 posted its first monthly decline since November on Monday, as stocks slipped in one of the lightest trading days of the year on signs the U.S. economy may be slowing and as a recession in Spain highlighted risks in the euro zone. Data points to weaker economic momentum WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy appeared to downshift as it entered the second quarter, with consumers increasing their spending only modestly last month and a gauge of business activity in the Midwest falling sharply in April. Coke denies Monster deal talk report (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co said it is not in talks to acquire Monster Beverage Corp, disputing a Wall Street Journal article on Monday that said it was in discussions to buy the energy drink maker. Microsoft eyes tablet lift via Barnes & Noble deal NEW YORK/SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp is jumping into the fast-growing e-books market by investing $300 million in Barnes & Noble Inc's Nook e-reader and college business, as it looks to unlock Amazon.com and Apple Inc's grip on the exploding tablet computer market. Groupon replaces Schultz, Efrusy on board (Reuters) - Groupon Inc has appointed two directors to replace Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and venture capitalist Kevin Efrusy on its board, in an apparent attempt to address growing criticism over its accounting practices. Delta to buy U.S. refinery for $150 million (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc will buy a Pennsylvania oil refinery from ConocoPhillips for $150 million, the first time an airline has bought a refinery, highlighting the industry's desperate attempt to save money on fuel costs. AMR posts $807 million loss in March (Reuters) - AMR Corp , the bankrupt parent of American Airlines, posted a net loss of $807 million for March and said it spent more than $2 billion on fuel, wages and other expenses. JPMorgan CEO should not be chairman: recommendation (Reuters) - Jamie Dimon's $23.1 million paycheck is OK, but he should not be both chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co, an adviser to institutional investors said on Monday. Dissident shareholders want access to BofA meeting (Reuters) - An activist group is urging Bank of America Corp to allow all shareholders to enter next week's annual meeting after it says Wells Fargo & Co excluded attendees who disagreed with the bank's business practices. Exxon Mobil shuts Louisiana oil pipeline after leak (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp has shut the North Line crude oil pipeline in Louisiana after a leak spilled 1,900 barrels of crude oil in a rural area over the weekend, affecting a conduit that supplies the nation's third-largest refinery. Related Video Austerity Spain back in recession Art Auctions 2012: scream or yawn? Economic News U.S. small business hiring takes step back in April U.S. homeownership rate drops to 15-year low in Q1 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