TOP STORIES 
 
U.S. GDP GROWTH SLOWS TO 2.2% PACE IN 4Q

U.S. gross domestic product expanded at a 2.2% annual rate in the fourth quarter. That was weaker than an initial estimate of 2.6% reported last month. Economists had expected a fourth-quarter advance of 2%.

 
U.S. STOCKS EDGE LOWER AFTER GDP DATA

U.S. stocks traded slightly lower after data showed the economy returned to moderate growth in the fourth quarter. Stocks are on track for monthly gains, marking a rebound from a volatile January.

 
GERMAN LAWMAKERS APPROVE GREEK EXTENSION

German lawmakers approved a four-month extension of Greece's bailout in a vote in the lower house of parliament.

 
OIL PRICES RALLY AHEAD OF DATA

Oil prices rose ahead of data expected to show another reduction in U.S. drilling activity. April Brent crude rose 1.7% to $61.05 a barrel on London's ICE Futures exchange. Nymex April crude traded at $49.09, up 1.9%.

 
UNITEDHEALTH TIGHTENS RULES ON HYSTERECTOMY COVERAGE

The nation's largest health insurer is imposing tighter controls on its coverage for hysterectomies after more than a year of debate over a medical device that was found to spread hidden cancer in some women undergoing the procedure.

 
BOMBARDIER TO LAUNCH $1.5 BILLION, TWO-TRANCHE DEBT DEAL

Bombardier launched a two-tranche, high-yield debt offering to raise $1.5 billion as part of its previously announced plan to raise a total of $2.1 billion from debt and equity issues to shore up its weak balance sheet.

 
U.S. REGULATOR QUESTIONS BANKS ABOUT DIVIDEND-ARBITRAGE

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is examining the role played by a number of large banks in controversial trades that are designed to minimize or avoid taxes, according to people familiar with recent inquiries from the regulator.

 
GREEK GDP CONTRACTS MORE THAN EXPECTED

The Greek economy contracted more than initially estimated in the fourth quarter of the year, in a sign that the recovery could be faltering under the weight of the country's political uncertainty.

 
ICAHN'S INVESTMENTS AGAIN HIT BY ENERGY PRICES

Carl Icahn's investment portfolio took a hit in the fourth quarter from tumbling oil prices, though the firm said Apple's recent performance helped soften the blow.

 
INDIA SAYS GROWTH MAY HIT 8.5%

The Indian government said that the country's economic expansion will accelerate to a four-year high of as much as 8.5% in the coming fiscal year.

 
U.S. PRESSES CHINA ON BANK-TECHNOLOGY RULES

The U.S. amped up pressure on China over proposed rules for technology in the Chinese banking industry that have become the latest flash point over cybersecurity between Washington and Beijing.

 
 
 
 
  ======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES ======= 
 
 
Heard on the Street 
HARD TO BELIEVE LLOYDS PAYOUT HYPE

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But investors may be eyeing U.K. banks too much in light of their relative rather than absolute attractions.

 
Analysis 
ONLY MORE GREEK DRAMA WILL AVOID THE DRACHMA

Greece and the rest of the eurozone spent February fighting about the procedure for keeping the country afloat. They will spend the spring haggling over a tougher issue: Which economic policies can appease both its creditors and its population?