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Applied Materials plans another $2 billion in stock repurchases

Applied Materials Inc. announced Thursday that its board of directors had approved a new $2 billion stock-repurchase plan, coming on the heels of a $3 billion repurchase plan. The chip-equipment company also approved a quarterly dividend of 10 cents a share, payable on Sept. 15 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 25. The previous $3 billion repurchase plan was announced in April 2015, when Applied Materials gave up its planned blockbuster merger with Tokyo Electron. Applied Materials shares gained about 1% in late trading Thursday after the announcement.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

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Applied Materials plans another $2 billion in stock repurchases

Applied Materials Inc. announced Thursday that its board of directors had approved a new $2 billion stock-repurchase plan, coming on the heels of a $3 billion repurchase plan. The chip-equipment company also approved a quarterly dividend of 10 cents a share, payable on Sept. 15 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 25. The previous $3 billion repurchase plan was announced in April 2015, when Applied Materials gave up its planned blockbuster merger with Tokyo Electron. Applied Materials shares gained about 1% in late trading Thursday after the announcement.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

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Only 4 Metros Rebound Since Real Estate Crash

According to at least one home price index out there, only four major areas have seen home prices return to pre-crisis levels.

That index is from Clear Capital, which provides home-price indices based on activity in 30 major U.S. housing markets as of May.

Among four metropolitan areas with record prices was San Jose, California, where the index was up 78 percent from a year earlier.

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From:: Financing

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Gold futures log highest settlement in more than three weeks

Gold futures rose for a second-straight session on Thursday to settle at their highest level since May 18. Prices got a boost as expectations for a U.S. interest-rate increase in the coming months eased and the market weighed the likelihood that the United Kingdom may leave the European Union. Gold for August delivery settled at $1,272.70 an ounce, up $10.40, or 0.8%.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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Walter Investment Chairman, CEO Out

Walter Investment Management Corp. has disclosed that both its chairman and and its chief executive are leaving their positions.

Denmar J. Dixon was appointed chief executive officer and president in October 2015, replacing the retiring Mark J. O’Brien.

By the end of last year O’Brien would also retire from his post as chairman of the Tampa, Florida-based firm’s board of directors.

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From:: Financing

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Uber business travelers can schedule rides up to 30 days in advance

Uber Technologies Inc. will now allow business travelers to schedule pickups in advance, rather than on-demand, the company said Thursday. Rides can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance and the user will receive two reminders before the ride. The company is starting the feature in Seattle Thursday, where it is limited to riders who have a business account on the app. The company said it plans to roll out the feature to other “top business travel cities” in the future. Lyft Inc. announced in May that it would be rolling out a similar feature to allow scheduling of rides, which does not appear to be limited to business accounts.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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Mortgage Investor Equity Positions Improve

During the first quarter, the collective ratio of loan balances to property values improved — giving mortgage investors a safer position based on homeowner equity.

U.S. mortgage borrowers collectively owed $9.110 trillion in first and second liens as of the first quarter 2016, expanding from $9.062 trillion three months earlier.

The growth in mortgage debt outstanding was more dramatic compared to the same quarter 12 months earlier, when there were $8.841 trillion in residential loans.

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From:: Financing