METLIFE SUIT SETS UP BATTLE OVER REGULATION -- 4TH UPDATE

MetLife Inc. is challenging the federal government's decision to subject the insurer to stricte r oversight, setting up the biggest test yet for regulators responsible for protecting the U.S. financial system from another crisis. (published 0006 GMT)

 
 
TESLA 4Q CHINA SALES DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY, CEO SAYS - 2ND UPDATE

Tesla Motors Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk told an auto industry gathering the Silicon Valley auto maker will need until 2020 to be profitable on a basis that includes charges and executive compensation. (published 2302 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
SUNCOR ENERGY CUTS CAPITAL SPENDING--UPDATE

Suncor Energy Inc. said it would cut its 2015 capital-spending program by 1 billion Canadian dollars in response to the sharp drop in crude-oil prices, but said it would move forward with major oil-sands and other expansion projects currently under construction. (published 2346 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
KINGSGATE ORDERED TO HALT MINING IN THAILAND

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. halted trading in its shares Wednesday, amid uncertainty over an order to stop work at Thailand's biggest gold mine. (published 0011 GMT)

 
 
YASHILI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS EXPECTS 2014 PROFITS TO FALL 40%

Yashili International Holdings Ltd. expects a profit decrease of 40% in 2014 compared with the profit in 2013. (published 0005 GMT)

 
 
ADIDAS TO GREATLY EXPAND ENDORSEMENT DEALS

Adidas AG plans to sharply ramp up its endorsements of U.S. pro football and baseball players in the next few years, as the German sportswear maker tries to gain traction in the American market. (published 1955 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
JETBLUE REPORTS KEY METRIC FELL 6% IN DECEMBER--UPDATE

JetBlue Airways Corp. said preliminary passenger revenue per available seat mile fell 6% during December from a year earlier and it expects the key airline industry metric will come in relatively flat for the fourth quarter. (published 2250 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
IBM MOVES TO BREATHE NEW BUZZ INTO MAINFRAME LINE--UPDATE

International Business Machines Corp. has given up some major hardware businesses, but it spares no expense on its trademark mainframe computers. Now Big Blue is back with a major upgrade. (published 2147 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
WHITEHAVEN REPORTS WEAKER COAL OUTPUT, CAUTIONS ON PRICES

Whitehaven Coal Ltd. reported a 17% drop in second-quarter coal production due to weaker output from most of its Australian mines, and said prices for the energy commodity remain limp. (published 2239 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
HEARTLAND NZ'S CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS REDUCED BY RBNZ

Heartland New Zealand bank's regulatory capital requirements were reduced by New Zealand's central bank to bring them in to line with those of the other banks. (published 2143 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
TWO MATTEL EXECUTIVES TO EXPAND ROLES

Mattel Inc. said Richard Dickson and Tim Kilpin would take on expanded roles as it looks to become a "more nimble, creative and consumer-centric company." (published 2325 GMT Tuesday)

 
 
PETROBRAS FINDS EXECUTIVE TO HEAD NEWLY CREATED COMPLIANCE DIVISION

Brazilian state-controlled oil firm Petróleo Brasileiro SA said Tuesday it has found an executive to head a newly created compliance division, ending a nearly two-month search amid the worst corruption scandal in the company's history. (published 2350 GMT Tuesday)