Reuters Before the Bell: Google fined $1.7 billion for search ad blocks in third EU sanction

Click to View in Browser Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Google fined $1.7 billion for search ad blocks in third EU sanction Google was fined 1.49 billion euros ($1.7 billion) on Wednesday for blocking rival online search advertisers, the third large European Union antitrust penalty for the Alphabet business in two only years. EU's Vestager says Google rivals more visible after changes Europe's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager gave a cautious welcome on Wednesday to Google's attempts to boost rivals and offer Android users a choice of browser and search apps in order to comply with her orders in two separate cases. Indonesia crash revelations raise pressure on Ethiopia probe The world's biggest planemaker Boeing faced growing obstacles to returning its grounded 737 MAX fleet to the skies on Wednesday, while chilling details emerged of an Indonesian crash with similarities to the Ethiopian disaster. Bayer shares slide after latest Roundup cancer ruling Shares in Germany's Bayer's fell more than 12 percent on Wednesday after a second U.S. jury ruled its Roundup weed killer caused cancer. General Mills lifts profit view on cost cuts, price hikes; shares rise 6 percent General Mills quarterly profit beat Wall Street estimates and the Cheerios cereal maker raised its full-year forecast, benefiting from its efforts to cut costs and raise prices, sending its shares up 6 percent on Wednesday. Stock futures muted as investors await Fed outlook U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday as investors waited for more clarity on the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook for the year, while some trade worries still lingered. FedEx falls on 2019 forecast cut, multiple brokerages lower price target Shares of FedEx Corp fell about 7 percent before the bell on Wednesday after the package delivery company cut its 2019 profit forecast for the second time blaming slowing global trade growth and continued weakness in its international Express business. EU regulators fine Google 1.49 billion euros for blocking advertising rivals EU antitrust regulators handed down a 1.49 billion euro ($1.69 billion) fine to Alphabet unit Google on Wednesday for blocking rival online search advertisers, marking the company's third penalty in two years. Volkswagen's Skoda Auto: cannot repeat 2018 pay hikes in new round of bargaining Volkswagen's Czech unit Skoda Auto does not expect to repeat the strong wage growth agreed in 2018 again in the latest round of collective bargaining, a board member said on Wednesday. World shares face end to winning streak as Fed looms World shares faced an end to their longest winning streak of the year as investors took profits on Wednesday before the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision, seen as offering clues to interest rate prospects over the coming year. Related Video Elon Musk tweet sparks fresh fight with SEC Peloton sued for stealing music Make sense of the market with highlights of valuable financial information and reports along with compelling investment insights. Register Today The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2019 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook