TEL AVIV (Reuters) - U.S. software firm Microsoft Corp will continue to invest over $1 billion annually on cyber security research and development in the coming years, a senior executive said.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Mobile telecom equipment maker Ericsson cut its annual dividend by 73 percent, with its new CEO saying the Swedish company would prioritize profitability after it suffered an operating loss in the last three months of 2016.

(Reuters) - Facebook Inc has hired Hugo Barra, the most prominent global executive at Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc [XTC.UL], to lead its virtual reality business including the Oculus unit, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said.

(Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc’s decision to acquire software startup AppDynamics for $3.7 billion, nearly double the private-market valuation, reflects Cisco's struggles in building its software business, according to company financial reports and internal documents.

(Reuters) - EBay Inc reported a 3.1 percent rise in quarterly revenue for the holiday period, offering a bright spot for investors as the company's revamped online marketplace attracted more buyers and helped sell more products.

(Reuters) - Data storage company Western Digital Corp reported higher-than-expected revenue and profit on Wednesday, helped by demand for its products amid stabilizing PC demand and a shift by businesses to cloud storage.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - BT Group Plc was hit on Wednesday with at least two shareholder lawsuits in the United States, after one-fifth of the telecommunications company's market value was wiped out in a single day amid a growing accounting scandal in Italy.

(Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc reported a 3.9 percent rise in quarterly revenue, boosted by strong demand for its chips used in smartphones, at a time when the company is facing multiple legal challenges over its alleged "anticompetitive" tactics.

TORONTO (Reuters) - Some of Canada's largest corporations and top executives launched two separate initiatives this week, investing millions of dollars into startup programs they hope will help stem a brain drain in fields like artificial intelligence and financial technology.

(Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc's surprise and costly acquisition of business software firm AppDynamics Inc just two days ahead of its market debut suggests that U.S. tech startups are finding more value in buyouts amid a still-tepid IPO market.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has arrested a senior manager at a leading cybersecurity firm, the company said on Wednesday, after a newspaper reported his department has worked closely with the Federal Security Service for several years.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm Inc in Beijing, alleging that the chip supplier abused its clout in the chip industry and seeking 1 billion yuan ($145.32 million) in damages, Beijing's Intellectual Property Court said in a statement on Wednesday.

ZURICH (Reuters) - A consortium set up to explore the use of blockchain technology in the insurance industry plans to announce several new members in the coming weeks, and by 2018 could create an organization to manage contracts and claims, an executive involved told Reuters.

PARIS (Reuters) - France's central bank governor called on French insurers to enhance cyber risk coverage for their clients, as hack attacks and data privacy laws in Europe spur rising demand.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co and Intuit Inc said on Wednesday that they had agreed on tools for Chase customers to quickly put account information into Mint, TurboTax Online and QuickBooks Online financial management applications without turning over their user names and bank passwor...

WIESBADEN, Germany (Reuters) - Financial technology companies require greater oversight because they have the potential to disrupt the banking industry and could threaten financial stability, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann said on Wednesday.

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Cyber security company SentinelOne said on Wednesday it raised an additional $70 million, bringing the total amount it has raised to over $110 million.

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finnair will become the first airline to allow travelers to pay for in-flight shopping and services with Chinese online payment app Alipay, the company said on Wednesday.

(Reuters) - Financial technology startup Overbond Ltd is launching a service that will allow companies to issue bonds digitally, the company said on Wednesday.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese messaging app operator Line Corp announced on Wednesday it swung to a full-year net profit on the back of growth in advertising revenue, although operating profit undershot forecasts due to higher operating costs and payment settlement issues.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Apple Inc said on Wednesday it appreciates the open and constructive dialogue that it held with Indian officials, around the expansion of its local operations in the country.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Solarwatt, a German manufacturer of batteries that store power generated by domestic solar panels, expects revenue to grow 40 percent this year as sales more than double, Chief Executive Detlef Neuhaus told Reuters in an interview.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's central bank will continue to conduct spot investigations on bitcoin exchanges, its Beijing head office said on Wednesday, in a statement on its website.

(Reuters) - Safety standards for lithium-ion batteries need to be modernized following a massive recall of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd phones after faulty batteries caused fires, a U.S. government agency said on Tuesday.

(Reuters) - Cisco said on Tuesday it intends to acquire AppDynamics Inc for about $3.7 billion in cash and assumed equity awards.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Shares of Toshiba Corp slipped in early trading on Wednesday as the company prepared to give the nod to spinning off its chip business.

(Reuters) - Keysight Technologies Inc , a provider of software and equipment to the electronics and wireless communications industries, is in talks to acquire U.S. data technology company Ixia , according to people familiar with the matter.

(Reuters) - Chipmaker Texas Instruments Inc reported higher-than-expected quarterly revenue, helped by strong demand for its analog and embedded chip products from the automotive and industrial markets.

(Reuters) - Hard-disk drive maker Seagate Technology Plc reported a 3.1 percent drop in quarterly revenue, hurt by a fall in prices and slowing demand.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Target Corp said on Tuesday it plans to launch its own mobile payment service this year in stores, which would allow customers to pay for goods using an app on their mobile phones.