GE profit down 44 percent

General Electric Co reported a 44 percent drop in quarterly profit on weakness at GE Capital and its lighting and appliance units, as the U.S. conglomerate and economic bellwether closed out one of the toughest years in its 117-year history.Despite meeting Wall Street's lowered estimates, earnings at the company's GE Capital finance arm its Achilles heel for the past year stumbled 67 percent. Its energy infrastructure unit, which makes electric turbines and windmills, was the highlight, recording 11 percent profit growth.

JLR in talks with Govt for loan

Luxury car marque Jaguar Land Rover is in secret talks with the Government for a one billion-pound loan just nine months after the Tatas, the Indian conglomerate, bought the luxury car marque, and an answer to the request would be made in the next fortnight.The economic downturn has hit the auto industry hard and at present a number of large British-based industrial groups are also considering asking the government for financial support. Last year Land Rover produced 2,30,000 vehicles, while Jaguar made 54,000