Reuters – SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Hewlett-Packard Co named Leo Apotheker, the former head of German software company SAP, as chief executive in a surprise appointment and HP shares dropped 3 percent.

Reuters – TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard abandoned its $2 billion hostile takeover bid for Casey’s General Stores on Thursday, nearly half a year after it made its initial offer for the U.S. convenience store chain.

The Canadian Press – VANCOUVER – Stronghold Metals Inc. (TSXV:Z) stock fell more than 11 per cent Thursday after the company announced an earn-in agreement on a gold mining property in South America.

The Canadian Press – TORONTO – Three months after the introduction of the harmonized sales tax in two of Canada’s biggest provinces, it has been blamed for everything from a slowdown in consumer spending and a squeeze on home sales to sending the federal deficit higher.

The Canadian Press – MONTREAL – Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD.B) has ended its six-month effort to acquire U.S.-based Casey’s General Stores with the Quebec convenience store chain letting its US$2 billion hostile offer expire.

The Canadian Press – MONTREAL – Wind Mobile has filed a complaint with the federal Competition Bureau over claims by Rogers that its discount brand, Chatr, has fewer dropped calls and a better network than its new competitors.