today's data 2010-03-02

CF Industries CF made a $4.72 billion offer for fertilizer rival Terra Industries TRA in attempt to thwart Terra’s planned combination with Norway’s Yara International. This takeover attempt is the latest in a string of M&A deals pondered over the last few weeks, indicating confidence in the economy and availability of financing.

February US auto sales better than expected despite snow, Toyota; Ford bests GM

Automakers plowed through a snowy February to better-than-expected sales, and new incentives led by beleaguered Toyota will keep the momentum going into spring.

Despite some analysts' predictions of single-digit gains, sales rose 13 percent over last February and all major automakers but Toyota Motor Corp. reported higher U.S. sales. Most took customers from the Japanese automaker, which has been struggling with a series of massive safety recalls. Toyota's U.S. market share fell to 12.8 percent, its lowest level since July 2005, according to Ward's AutoInfoBank.