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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are lower in afternoon trading, as discouraging economic reports on manufacturing, jobs and construction spending stoke concerns about corporate profits and global growth. Seven of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 are down, with health care stocks leading the decline. The S&P and the Dow are each down about 0.4 percent. Oil prices are up, with benchmark U.S. crude gaining more than $2, trading above $50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
DETROIT (AP) — March sales figures show winter cooled the blistering pace of U.S. auto sales. General Motors' sales fell 2 percent. Ford and Nissan both saw 3 percent declines, while Honda's sales were down 5 percent compared with last March. However, not everyone saw declines. Toyota sales were up 5 percent, while FCA — the parent of Chrysler and Fiat — says its U.S. sales rose 2 percent. Analysts say sales gains are likely to slow as they reach a natural peak, near 17 million for the year.
NEW YORK (AP) — GoDaddy shares are jumping in their market debut after the Web hosting company known for racy TV commercials priced its initial public offering of stock above expectations at $20 per share. The stock has since risen $6 or 30 percent to about $26. Overall, GoDaddy is offering 23 million shares and hopes to raise up to $460 million in the offering.
NEW YORK (AP) — McDonald's says it's simplifying its grilled chicken recipe, removing ingredients people might not recognize. The company says its new "Artisan Grilled Chicken" will have 12 ingredients, down from 18. Among those gone are sodium phosphates and maltodextrin. McDonald's has been trying to shake perceptions that it serves junk food packed with artificial ingredients, as consumer tastes evolve.
TOKYO (AP) — Burger King lovers in Japan can now have the aroma of a Whopper hovering over them as if they had just worked a shift standing over the grill themselves. The fast-food chain has been offering bottles of "Flame Grilled" cologne at its restaurants in Japan today for $40, with an actual burger on the side. The one-day promotion was timed deliberately for April Fool's Day.
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