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LONDON (MarketWatch) - Major European markets touched new highs Friday after U.S. payroll data came in lower-than-expected. The technology sector was one of the better performers after the Nasdaq Composite hit a four-and-a-half year high overnight. Germany's DAX 30 index rose 0.2% to 5,525 points, while France's CAC 40 indexadded 0.4% to 4,856 points and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 indexgained 0.6% to  ...

LOS ANGELES (Dow Jones) - Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.'s stock fell by more than 4% on Friday, as investors viewed a drop in third-quarter sales as dimming its prospects for profitability. Great Atlantic(GAP)reported a net loss of $71 million, or $1.74 a share, compared with a loss of $75 million, or $1.96 a share, for the same period last year. The Montvale, N.J.-based grocer, which ...

NEW YORK (Dow Jones) - Microsoft was the biggest percentage decliner among the blue-chip stocks Friday morning after Credit Suisse First Boston downgraded the software giant, saying it thinks the stock is unlikely to outperform its peers in 2006. The firm lowered its rating to neutral from outperform, left its 12-month price target at $29, and reduced its revenue estimate for the first quarter  ...

CHICAGO (Dow Jones) -- Wendy's International Inc. turned in weak December sales results Friday, but unveiled more plans to drive sales and shareholder value, as investor groups pressured the restaurant operator. Plans include a test to serve breakfast items at Wendy's fast-food restaurants - a first for the nation's third-largest hamburger chain in two decades - as well as the return of the sup ...

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks rallied in late afternoon trading Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average heading toward a 4 1/2-year high, after a weaker-than-expected December jobs report raised hopes the Federal Reserve may end its cycle of interest-rate hikes sooner rather than later. The Dow industrials(DJI)was last up 71 points at 10,953. The benchmark index is on track to pos ...

SAN DIEGO (MarketWatch) -- When all else fails, try, try again. document.write('');   MARKETWATCH TOP NEWS U.S. stocks rally to new highs in afternoon trading Broad impact seen from China's latest currency move Dec. payrolls up 108,000; jobless rate falls to 4.9% Treasurys jostled by jobs report before falling IBM changes pension, 401(k) plans Free! Sign up here to ...

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Shares of Darden Restaurants were on the rise Friday, gaining as much as 5% after the parent of Red Lobster and Olive Garden outlets reported increases in December same-store sales. EARNINGSWATCH Ashland's shares on the rise on higher earnings outlook Sales feed gains for Darden, Ruby Tuesday Orders fall at Brookfield Homes, M.D.C. Holdings Ixia shares  ...

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - European technology shares enjoyed robust gains in New York trading Friday, picking up strength from the Nasdaq's recent rally and strong software earnings results released Thursday. EARNINGSWATCH Ashland's shares on the rise on higher earnings outlook Sales feed gains for Darden, Ruby Tuesday Orders fall at Brookfield Homes, M.D.C. Holdings Ixia  ...

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Ashland Inc. shares rose much as 7.3% Friday after the company raised its first-quarter earnings outlook, citing strong results for its construction and specialty chemicals businesses. EARNINGSWATCH Ashland's shares on the rise on higher earnings outlook Sales feed gains for Darden, Ruby Tuesday Orders fall at Brookfield Homes, M.D.C. Holdings Ixi ...

By Ransdell Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , in a move to thwart counterfeit Viagra, on Friday said it has included special radio frequency identification tags on all packages of its anti-impotence pill to verify they are the authentic Pfizer product. The world's biggest drugmaker said the new technology, which is difficult and costly to duplicate, would create barriers "for criminals who might attempt to counterfeit our products." Pfi ...