Reuters Before the Bell: April 7, 2017

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On trial for bribery, Samsung boss lets lawyers do the talking SEOUL (Reuters) - The third-generation leader of South Korea's top conglomerate was mostly silent at his first court appearance in what has been called the "trial of the century," as his lawyers labored to portray him as an innocent bystander in a graft scandal.

Weak crude oil stunts U.S. energy IPOs, boosts outlook for M&A LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The stream of U.S. energy companies going public at the start of 2017 has dried up on concerns over the future direction of oil prices, but private buyers seeking mergers and acquisitions are ready to take advantage of the volatility to secure cheap deals.

Stocks off lows, oil rallies after U.S. missile strike on Syria LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices held near one-month highs on Friday after the United States attacked a Syrian air base but stocks and the dollar recovered early falls when a U.S. official played down the risks of an escalation.

Hyundai, Kia to recall nearly 1.5 million vehicles over engine issue SEOUL (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp said on Friday they plan to recall nearly 1.5 million vehicles in the United States and South Korea due to engine issues, the latest blow for two firms already struggling in key markets.

Ford says to launch Ranger pickup truck in China by 2018 BEIJING (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co plans to launch its mid-size Ranger pickup truck in China in 2018, the U.S. automaker said on Friday.

U.S. weekly jobless claims post largest drop in almost two years WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. job growth likely slowed in March after unseasonably mild weather boosted hiring over the prior two months, but the pace of gains should underscore the economy's strength despite a recent slowdown in economic growth.

Despite 'challenging' environment, GM CFO expects strong 2017 DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co's chief financial officer said on Thursday the automaker expects another "very strong year" in 2017 and reiterated the company's earnings forecast for the year.

GM China vehicle sales fall in first quarter as tax cut rolled back BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. automaker General Motors Co said on Friday its first quarter sales in China fell 5.2 percent compared to the same period a year ago due to a shift in the government's tax policy and Lunar New Year fluctuations.

Chase for tastier tortillas starts with age-old 'Mexican gold' OTZOLOTEPEC, Mexico (Reuters) - Under a scorching sun, Clemente Enriquez tips his wide-brimmed hat up as he proudly displays in an open palm the conico corn seeds he plants on his small plot in the rolling hills outside this village west of Mexico City.

Samsung tips best quarterly profit in over three years as chips soar SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd forecast on Friday its best quarterly profit in more than three years in the January-March period, beating expectations and putting it on track for record annual earnings on the back of a memory chip super-cycle.