United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Monday agreed to pay $6.8 billion for Netherlands-based TNT Express, creating a global integrated package-delivery and logistics network.

Ratings agency Moody's (NYSE:MCO) warned late Wednesday it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the euro zone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system.

Ratings agency Moody's Corp (NYSE:MCO) said Wednesday that fourth-quarrter net income fell 30 percent as expenses rose and companies backed away from issuing bonds during the European debt crisis, hurting a key business segment.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) said Tuesday that fourth quarter net earnings dropped on an expected pension accounting change, but earnings per share actually grew almost 21 percent on an adjusted basis as revenue increased six percent during the period due to strong online shopping trends.

Shareholders in BacTech Mining will receive 1 new share in REBgold and 1/5th of a share in BacTech Environmental for each BacTech Mining share.