Lisa Atwell

Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) Thursday reported higher first-half profit and stuck to its full-year target of keeping earnings stable despite large investments in new vehicles and intensifying price pressure in Western Europe, where demand for cars has been declining for months amid economic uncertainty.

Viktor Vekselberg, one of the four Soviet-born businessmen who co-own TNK-BP (TNBP.RS) with BP PLC (BP), said Thursday he had no plans to sell his stake in Russia's No.

Swedish network vendor Ericsson (ERIC) said Thursday it has received an order from Vodafone Egypt to upgrade the operator's readio network.

Private equity firm Carlyle Group (CG) and Australia's Seven Group Holdings (SVW.AU) are considering raising up to 700 million Australian dollars (US$722 million) through an initial public offering of equipment-hire group Coates Hire, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN.LN) said Thursday it purchased for cancellation 457,144 of its ordinary shares at a 2917 pence per share.

Vodafone Group PLC (VOD.LN) Thursday said it has purchased 8.6 million ordinary shares, to hold in treasury, at a volume weighted average price per share of 178.546 pence per share on July 25.

India's consumption of refined oil products rose 7.2% on year in June, at its fastest pace since January, led by strong demand for diesel from the transportation sector and as weak monsoons forced farmers to rely on diesel-powered irrigation pumps.

YOKOHAMA, Japan--Nissan Motor Co. (7201.TO) said Thursday that its net profit fell 15% in the April-June quarter, blaming the yen's strength and higher sales promotion expenses in North America.

Wesfarmers Ltd. (WES.AU) said Thursday total sales growth at its Coles supermarket division rose in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 by 4.6% on year despite record price deflation caused by falling fresh food prices and discounting.