"New GM's recall covenant does not create a basis for the plaintiffs to sue new GM for economic damages relating to a vehicle or part sold by old GM."

General Motors Co,

explaining the company's grounds for soliciting protection against lawsuits stemming from ignition defects in cars sold prior to its 2009 bankruptcy, according to a Reuters report citing a filing made with the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The faulty ignition switch has been linked to at least 13 deaths and the recall of 2.6 million GM vehicles. GM emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2009 as a different legal entity from the so-called old GM. Under those terms, the "new GM" shed liability for incidents predating its exit from bankruptcy, and any lawsuit involving pre-bankruptcy issues must be brought against what remains of old GM. Plaintiffs suing the company filed a proposed lawsuit in Manhattan bankruptcy court recently.

"We are very pleased with the take rates. I believe the 35 percent will become a new standard."

John Stephens, AT&T's chief financial officer,

commenting on its higher-than-expected 35 percent of wireless customers who transferred to NEXT, its new pricing plan, Reuters reported. AT&T raised its forecast for full-year revenue growth to at least 4 percent from 3 percent thanks to the new pricing model that charges customers for devices separately from their wireless plans. Like other carriers, AT&T is seeking growth in a nearly saturated environment, making strategies such as alternate pricing plans more crucial to attract customers.

"Our preliminary third-quarter results were heavily impacted by the winter storms, unseasonably cold weather and the greater-than-expected impact of the Easter shift."

Steve Birkhold, Chief Executive of women's apparel retailer Bebe Stores Inc,

warning of a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss as extremely cold weather in parts of the US cut sales, according to Reuters. Birkhold said his company had switched to spring clothes early and had less winter wear to sell to customers during the unusually cold quarter. Bebe expected a net loss of 29 to 32 cents per share for the third quarter ended April 5. Analysts on average were expecting a loss of 15 cents per share. US retailers have been struggling due to sharp declines in mall traffic because of the unusually cold and snowy weather. Many have resorted to offering heavy discounts to attract shoppers, at the expense of gross margins.