Broker downgrades weigh on shares of some firms despite the broad move higher by the FTSE 100.

J.P. Morgan said Thursday that it will buy Cazenove, its U.K. joint venture partner, for around 1 billion pounds ($1.67 billion) in a deal that will net big payouts for many current and former employees.

Many people never thought this day would come. Citigroup’s (C) employees and shareholders -- and by definition taxpayers -- are fortunate to have Vikram Pandit at the helm of the struggling bank.After all without him they might have no one.That’s the predicament that Bank of America (BAC) finds itself in after CEO Ken Lewis’s surprise announcement in September that he plans to step down by the end of this year. The board had hoped to announce his replacement by Thanksgiving but it looks like that deadline might come and go the Financial Times notes today.It seems no one wants ...

U.K. supermarket group J. Sainsbury reports a 48% jump in first-half profit, helped by tight cost control, but warns economic conditions “remain challenging."

A roundup of business and financial news breaking before the opening bell on Wall Street.

John C. Goff Appointed CEO

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by AnalystChoice.com (AC).

Softscape Presents Executive Webinar on Effective Ways for Companies to Create Improved Visibility into Bench Strength and Talent Mobility Strategies

Barclays ETN+ Notes deliver leveraged returns linked to the performance of the S&P 500

Webinar on “Preparing for the Next Job Hiring Wave” Outlines How to Use This Innovation to Manage Recruiting Effortlessly as Global Economy Starts its Recovery