America’s biggest tobacco companies say they are ready and willing to pass along factual public health information about cigarettes.

Tobacco firm describes the damages as ‘grossly excessive’

A US federal appeals court today agreed with the major elements of a 2006 landmark ruling that found the nation's top tobacco companies guilty of racketeering and fraud for deceiving the public about the dangers of smoking.

Wall Street finished higher in an uneasy session today as retail and homebuilders stocks rose on expectations for more interest rate cuts, but banks and insurers fell on worries about further mortgage debt troubles.

ALTRIA Group Inc, the world’s largest tobacco company, may announce plans this week to spin off its international unit, bowing to investors who favour faster overseas growth and reduced exposure to smokers’ lawsuits.

Wall Street managed a moderate advance today as a spate of takeover deals gave investors enough confidence to buy into the market despite a report showing that US manufacturing is more sluggish than expected.

US stocks rose sharply today after Dallas Federal Reserve President Richard Fisher suggested inflation would be dampened by a slowing economy and said that while the housing and vehicle sectors were economic weak points, the rest of the US economy was doing “extremely well”.

Wall Street rebounded today as energy prices fell on signs that Tropical Storm Ernesto will not hit the Gulf of Mexico.

A federal judge has ruled that the top US cigarette makers violated racketeering laws, deceiving the public for years about the health hazards of smoking.

The Florida Supreme Court today rejected a €113.6bn punitive damages award against tobacco companies for injuring smokers, saying it was excessive.

Philip Morris USA, the United States’ largest cigarette company, today said it plans to test a smokeless, spitless tobacco product this summer in the Indianapolis market.

A combination of moderate inflation and falling oil prices energised Wall Street today, sending stocks higher as investors grew optimistic about an end to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes.

More than five years after filing suit, US federal prosecutors are wrapping up their groundbreaking racketeering case against major cigarette makers, accused of conspiring for decades to mislead the public about the health risks of smoking.

US investors found some reassurance in weak job growth figures today, and sent stocks sharply higher on the assumption that the numbers will prompt Federal Reserve to be less aggressive in raising interest rates.

LAWYERS for the world’s leading cigarette makers have admitted that the companies sold dangerous and addictive products, but said they never conspired to hide those hazards.

A weak profit outlook from 3M Co disappointed Wall Street today, leaving stocks mixed as investors grew worried that second-half profits will fall short of expectations.

The maker of Marlboro cigarettes agreed today to pay up to £670m (€1bn) to help the European Union combat smuggling and fakes, ending years of legal wrangling over an illegal trade that costs both sides hundreds of millions of pounds annually.

A renewed rise in oil prices stifled a rally on Wall Street today, leaving stocks mixed and investors worrying that costs will climb further despite Saudi Arabia’s vow to boost production.

The EU and the maker of Marlboro cigarettes were today close to a $1bn (€833m) deal to end years of legal wrangling by cracking down together on smuggling and fakes that are costing both sides enormous sums.

British American Tobacco and RJ Reynolds Tobacco have agreed to merge their US tobacco businesses, uniting the nation’s second and third largest tobacco companies in an effort to blunt the attacks of sagging sales and cheaper brands.

Wall Street stalled last night as upbeat earnings from Northrop Grumman and Kellogg couldn’t overcome investor concerns that the market’s recent rally might have come too quickly.

Wall Street stalled today as upbeat earnings from Northrop Grumman and Kellogg couldn’t overcome investor concerns that the market’s recent rally might have come too quickly.

Wall Street retreated today after Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said the economy should post stronger growth by year’s end but cautioned that the threat of deflation remains.

Wall Street pulled back today as investors cashed in profits from the market’s recent rally while they await second-quarter earnings reports.

Wall Street moved higher for a third day today, despite a trio of mixed economic reports as upbeat investors made more bets on an economic recovery by year’s end.

Wall Street moved higher for a third day today, despite a trio of mixed economic reports as upbeat investors made more bets on an economic recovery by year’s end.