U.S. stocks open lower after terror attacks in Belgium

U.S. stocks opened lower on Tuesday as investors turned cautious following deadly attacks in Belgium that left more than 26 people dead and scores wounded. Travel stocks, such as American Airlines Group, Inc. and Expedia Inc were among hardest hit in early trade. The S&P 500 opened 8 points, or 0.4%, lower at 2,043. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 50 points, or 0.3%, to 17,572. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite began the day down 25 points, or 0.5%, at 4,783.

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Bomb experts to neutralize ‘suspicious package’ at Brussels airport

The Belgian army was set to tackle a “suspicious package” at Brussels international airport on Tuesday, after three explosions across the city earlier in the day left at least 26 people dead. The Belgian crisis center said in a post to Twitter close to 2 p.m. local time, or 9 a.m. Eastern Time, that “within a few minutes the explosives team of the Belgian Army will neutralize a suspicious package.” The post comes after media reports earlier said Belgian police had found a un-exploded suicide bomber belt at the Zaventem airport. The Belgian prosecutor said “probably, a suicide bomber” was involved in the two blast at Brussels airport, the BBC reported.

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American Airlines says all employees in Brussels are safe

American Airlines Group Inc. said all of its airport employees and crew members in Brussels are safe, with no reported injuries, in statement following the explosions at the airport. The company said Flight 751 from Brussels to Philadelphia has been canceled, while Flight 750 from Philadelphia to Brussels is not scheduled for Tuesday. “Airlines extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to those affected by the tragic events in Brussels earlier today,” the company said in a statement. “American is taking care of employees and customers at Brussels Airport.” American Airlines’ stock slumped 2.8% in premarket trade, amid a broad selloff in travel stocks.

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Symantec launches $1 billion accelerated share buyback program

Shares of Symantec Corp. rose 1.3% in premarket trade Tuesday, after the security software company announced a $1 billion accelerated share buyback program. The program is part of its previously-announced $5.5 billion capital return program, which includes a special dividend of $4 a share payable March 22. The company expects to buy back a total of $2.3 billion worth of its shares between March 2016 and March 2017. The company said it retained AlixPartners for help with productivity and cost savings improvement.

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American Airlines rebuffs Brussels check-in reports as shares fall 2.9%

American Airlines Group Inc. has rebuffed earlier reports that the two explosions at Brussels international airport on Tuesday happened next to its check-in desk. The air carrier said its check-in is at row 8 in the Zaventem airport departure hall, and that the explosions did not occur at row 8. The airline has canceled flight 751 from Brussels to Philadelphia on Tuesday after the blasts, thought to be retaliation for the capture of Paris terror suspect Salah Abdeslam. At least 21 people have died in explosions at the airport and at the Maalbeek Metro station in Brussels Tuesday. Shares of American Airlines were down 2.9% premarket.

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American Airlines rebuffs Brussels check-in reports as shares fall 2.9%

American Airlines Group Inc. has rebuffed earlier reports that the two explosions at Brussels international airport on Tuesday happened next to its check-in desk. The air carrier said its check-in is at row 8 in the Zaventem airport departure hall, and that the explosions did not occur at row 8. The airline has canceled flight 751 from Brussels to Philadelphia on Tuesday after the blasts, thought to be retaliation for the capture of Paris terror suspect Salah Abdeslam. At least 21 people have died in explosions at the airport and at the Maalbeek Metro station in Brussels Tuesday. Shares of American Airlines were down 2.9% premarket.

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Newell Rubbermaid names new chief transformation officer

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. said it named Russ Torres to the newly created position of chief transformation officer. Torres, who was previously a partner at consulting firm Bain & Co., will lead integration and transformation efforts, including delivering sales and cost synergies associated with the pending merger with Jarden Corp. Torres will join Newell on April 1. “Russ will be a tremendous asset to our team as we bring Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden together to build a new company with much greater potential than either organization had standalone,” said Mark Tarchetti, who will become president of Newell Brands when the Jarden deal is completed. Shares of the consumer products company, which brands include Sharpie, Paper Mate and Elmer’s, have slipped 2.1% year to date, while the S&P 500 has gained 0.4%.

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EU on lockdown after Brussels rocked by three explosions

The European Union has canceled all meetings in Brussels on Tuesday after the Belgian capital was rocked by explosions at the city’s airport and Metro system. Vice President of the EU Commission Kristalina Georgieva said in a post to Twitter that all EU institutions were on alert level orange, with all meetings on premises and outside canceled for the day. She also said access was restricted to staff with badges. The lockdown comes after two deadly explosions at the Zaventem Airport in Brussels and a blast at the Maalbeek Metro station close to the EU buildings earlier on Tuesday. Thirteen people were reported dead at the airport attacks, while it was still unclear how many people were injured at the Metro explosion.

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Airlines, other travel stocks drop after Brussels attacks

Shares in airlines and other travel-related companies dropped Tuesday in the wake of deadly attacks in Belgium, which has been on high alert after the arrest of a Paris attack suspect. “No surprise to see European airlines and travel shares being offloaded this morning,” said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, in a note. “Investors will be fearful of the knock-on to European traveler sentiment which was clearly dented in the wake of the Parisian attacks last November.” Ryanair Holdings PLC shares fell 4.2% in Dublin, Air France-KLM SA dropped 4.3% in Paris, easyJet PLC shed 4.1% in London and Deutsche Lufthansa AG lost 2.7% in Frankfurt. American Airlines Group Inc. fell 1.1% in thin premarket trading ahead of the U.S. market’s open. Meanwhile, travel companies Thomas Cook Group PLC and TUI AG fell 4.7% and 2.9%, respectively.

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Pound falls as Brussels is hit by explosions

The pound dropped nearly 1% against the U.S. dollar Tuesday, following reports of multiple explosions in Brussels. Sterling was down 0.8% to $1.4268. Explosions at the Brussels Airport and at a central Brussels Metro station have reportedly left dozens injured and dead. The question of whether the U.K. should leave the European Union has recently been putting pressure on the pound. The pound fell against the euro, with the shared currency up 0.3% at 78.42 pence.

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