Germany/Washington - In the high-stakes scramble for survival in the car industry, Italian car manufacturer Fiat Friday said it could pursue a deal with GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands if the pending partnership with Chrysler collapses.

Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne said that completing arrangements with Chrysler by the US-government-imposed deadline of April 30 was still his "first and foremost objective," the Detroit Free Press reported online.

But if that falls through, he would pursue the Opel and Vauxhall path.

Washington - US stocks gained Thursday after energy, technology and tourism firms posted smaller-than-expected losses despite the deep, ongoing US recession.

Marriott International Inc, the largest US hotel chain, posted a net loss of 25 million dollars in the first quarter, largely on one- time restructuring costs that signalled the company was on its way back to profits. Marriott shares jumped 12 per cent.

San Francisco - Microsoft reported a drop in quarterly revenues Thursday for the first time in the 23 years since it went public.

But investors still gave the world largest software company their approval, sending Microsoft shares higher in after-market trading as its aggressive cost cutting measures preserved profitability.

Washington - Under government pressure to prove its viability by June 1 and bracing for a prolonged recession, General Motors on Thursday announced an unprecedented series of nationwide summer plant shut-downs to reduce ballooning inventory.

Meanwhile, with an April 30 deadline looming for the smaller Chrysler, the government was already drawing up a bankruptcy filing that would protect Chrysler union members' pensions and retiree health-care benefits, The New York Times reported.

San Francisco - Amazon.com posted an 18-per-cent boost in sales and a 24 per cent rise in profits as the online retail giant shrugged off the effects of the economic downturn.

The Seattle-based retailer said that it earned 177 million dollars in the first quarter, compared to 143 million dollars a year ago. Sales were up to 4.89 billion dollars compared to 4.13 billion dollars a year ago.

FMCG company Marico has finally agreed to sell its stake in Sundari LLC to US-based Wellness Systems (WS), for an undisclosed amount.

Sundari LLC is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of skincare cosmetics and accessories, primarily in the US and Europe.

While, Wellness Systems is a limited liability company promoted by two of Marico Group's senior managers who were in charge of the Sundari business.

However, it should be noted that the transaction is, subject to necessary regulatory approvals.