Microsoft Sues Google and Former Executive, Greece Orders F-16s, and Other Business Headlines

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft filed a lawsuit against Google and former executive Kai-Fu Lee, alleging that Lee breached his contract by joining a direct competitor. The software maker also accused Google of intentionally assisting Lee, who was hired to head Google's first research-and-development center in China. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin won a contract to supply Greece with 30 F-16 fighter jets valued at $1.32 billion. Additionally, shares in Danone soared on rumors of a possible bid by PepsiCo, while American Commercial Lines Inc. registered for an initial public offering of up to $201.25 million in common stock.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft sued Google and former executive Kai-Fu Lee, alleging a breach of contract and intentional assistance by Google.
  • Lockheed Martin won a contract to supply Greece with 30 F-16 fighter jets valued at $1.32 billion.
  • Shares in Danone soared 10.2 percent on rumors of a possible bid by PepsiCo.
  • American Commercial Lines Inc. registered for an initial public offering of up to $201.25 million in common stock.
  • U.S. prosecutors asked a judge to drop an indictment of former HealthSouth Corp. executive James Bennett.
  • Charter Communications Inc. won approval to issue 150 million shares of its stock to back up convertible debt securities.
  • Two former executives at Amvescap PLC agreed to pay a combined $225,000 to settle charges of abusive mutual fund trades.
  • Mechanics at Northwest Airlines Corp. authorized a strike, which could lead to a work stoppage after a 30-day cooling-off period.

Statistics:

  • Microsoft's lawsuit against Google and Kai-Fu Lee alleges breach of contract and intentional assistance by Google.
  • Lockheed Martin won a contract to supply Greece with 30 F-16 fighter jets valued at $1.32 billion.
  • Danone shares soared 10.2 percent to $104.81 (87.60 euros) in Paris on rumors of a possible bid by PepsiCo.
  • American Commercial Lines Inc. registered for an initial public offering of up to $201.25 million in common stock.
  • U.S. prosecutors asked a judge to drop an indictment of former HealthSouth Corp. executive James Bennett.
  • Charter Communications Inc. will issue 150 million shares of its stock to back up convertible debt securities.
  • Two former executives at Amvescap PLC agreed to pay $225,000 to settle charges of abusive mutual fund trades.
  • Mechanics at Northwest Airlines Corp. voted to authorize a strike, which could lead to a work stoppage after a 30-day cooling-off period.

Sources:

  • Microsoft sues Google and former executive Kai-Fu Lee, Associated Press, 2005
  • Lockheed Martin wins contract to supply Greece with F-16s, Dow Jones, 2005
  • Danone shares soar on rumors of PepsiCo bid, Bloomberg News, 2005
  • American Commercial Lines Inc. registers for IPO, Post-Dispatch, 2005
  • U.S. prosecutors ask judge to drop indictment of HealthSouth executive, Associated Press, 2005
  • Charter Communications Inc. wins approval to issue shares, Dow Jones, 2005
  • Two former Amvescap PLC executives settle charges, Securities and Exchange Commission, 2005
  • Mechanics at Northwest Airlines Corp. authorize strike, Post-Dispatch, 2005