Microsoft releases security update

May 2, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

LOS ANGELES

Microsoft is releasing a security update for Internet Explorer that closes a gap that allowed attackers to take complete control of a computer. It also issued the update to Windows XP users, despite dropping support for the older operating system last month.

The update went live Thursday.

Adrienne Hall, general manager of Microsoft Trustworthy Computing, said in a statement that the company decided to fix the problem quickly for all customers, saying it takes the security of its products “incredibly seriously.”

Microsoft reported the problem Saturday, saying it was aware of “limited, targeted attacks” and that the vulnerability affected Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11.

The company said users with automatic updates enabled don’t need to take any action.

News on economy fails to lift stocks

NEW YORK

Encouraging news on the U.S. economy wasn’t enough to give the stock market its fourth-straight day of gains.

Manufacturing grew faster in April than in March as exports picked up and factories accelerated hiring. U.S. shoppers ramped up their spending in March at the fastest pace in 41/2 years, and construction spending also ticked higher. The reports, coming a day after the Commerce Department said U.S. growth stalled in the January-March quarter, suggest that the economy is gaining momentum after the unusually harsh winter.

The market remains close to its all-time highs, but for now investors, uncertain about which way the economy is headed, appear reluctant to push stocks higher.

Wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .61, 25.36 .27

Avalon Holdings,4.48.00

Clear Channel, .61 23.24 —.33

Cortland Bancorp, 11.25—.49

Farmers Nat., .127.63 —.02

First Energy, 2.20, 33.89.14

FirstMerit Corp., .64,19.31 —.09

First Niles Financial, .32,7.50.00

FNB Corp., .48,12.33—.11

General Motors,34.89.40

General Electric, .76,26.74—.15

Huntington Bank, .20, 9.09—.07

JP Morgan Chase, 1.52,55.63—.35

Key Corp, .22,13.51—.13

LaFarge, 22.75 —.10

Macy’s, 1.00, 57.01—.42

Parker Hannifin, 1.80, 126.05—.84

PNC, 1.76,83.69—.35

RTI Intl. Metals,28.04—.12

Simon Prop. Grp.,4.60,173.14—.06

Stoneridge 10.46 —.23

Talmer Bank, 13.30—.11

United Community Fin. 3.38.05

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Thursday. Provided by Stifel. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.