Finance News Beta

Oil futures fell Friday as traders sold to book profits from crude's recent 10 percent price rally and fretted about data suggesting demand for oil is falling.

The Campbell Soup Co. said Friday its second-quarter profit slipped 3.9 percent as increases in the cost of commodities and energy and higher promotional spending offset a strong sales increase.

Bond insurer Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. is expected to apply to the New York State Insurance Department to separate into two companies, splitting its municipal bond business from its insurance on riskier financial instruments, the regulator said.

Treasury prices rose Friday after the New York Federal Reserve reported that manufacturing in its region contracted this month.

Toys "R" Us will soon have stricter safety standards for the products it sells in its more than 1,500 stores.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said Friday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 9 percent on increased sales from its expanding Hollister Co. chain that cater to teens and its abercrombie stores for children.

Best Buy said a slowing economy will hurt fourth-quarter profits and it reduced its guidance, as consumers held back on high-end TVs, digital music players and cameras.

Stocks fell in early trading Friday after a weak manufacturing report raised concerns of a further economic slowdown.

Countrywide Financial, the nation's largest mortgage lender, says delinquencies and foreclosures continued to rise in January.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have tentatively agreed to settle a U.S. price-fixing suit over fuel surcharges, British Airways said Friday.