GE gets back to basics: General Electric soared more than 10 percent Friday after the company said it would sell most of its lending arm, known as GE Capital, and shift its focus back to its industrial business. GE stock closed at $28.51.
Metal test: Alcoa stock dropped 4.7 percent Thursday, to $13.02, after a first-quarter earnings report showed revenue fell short of expectations. Analysts were also disappointed by the outlook for the company's rolled products, which include sheets used for drinks and food cans. Alcoa shares finished the week at $13.15.
Energy deal: Royal Dutch Shell agreed to buy BG Group for $69.7 billion in cash and stock. Royal Dutch shares declined 4 percent Wednesday, to $59.33, finishing the week at $60.40. After increasing 28 percent to $17.36 Wednesday, BG Group shares closed for the week at $17.15.
Delivery: FedEx said it reached an agreement to take over TNT Express, one of Europe's largest delivery companies, for $4.8 billion. FedEx's stock Tuesday surged $5.15, or 3 percent, to $171.83, finishing at $174.37 at week's end.
Deals: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway plans to take a nearly 10 percent stake in Axalta Coating Systems, which makes specialized coatings for cars and trucks. Axalta jumped $1.78, or 6 percent Tuesday, to $30.11, ending the week at $31.90.
Oil bounce: Energy and utility companies led a broad advance Monday, with Hess and Halliburton up more than 4 percent as oil prices climbed. Oil prices posted gains for the week. Hess shares closed Friday at $73.12, up 4.3 percent for the week. Halliburton shares ended the week at $46.26, up 4.4 percent.
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