Business briefs: FBI investigates hacking at Sony Pictures

SAN FRANCISCO – The FBI has confirmed it is investigating a recent hacking attack at Sony Pictures Entertainment, which caused major internal computer problems at the film studio last week.

Sony’s corporate email and other internal systems were knocked offline, according to reports by Variety and other trade publications. Sony workers reportedly saw a message appear on their computer screens that said “Hacked by (hash)GOP,” which may be the initials of a group calling itself Guardians of Peace. Copies of some unreleased Sony films such as “Still Alice,” “Annie,” “Mr. Turner,” and “To Write Love on Her Arms” are now being distributed on unauthorized file-sharing websites, as well as the still-in-theaters “Fury,” although a direct connection to the hacking hasn’t been confirmed.

Culver City, California-based Sony Pictures said in a statement Monday that it is continuing “to work through issues related to what was clearly a cyber attack last week.”

GM recalls sedans, SUVs over headlight issue

General Motors has recalled 316,357 Buick, Chevy, GMC, Saab and Isuzu vehicles for a possible low-beam headlight failure.

The affected models, most of them in the U.S., are 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse sedans and certain 2006-2008 SUVs under the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender names.

The headlights and daytime running lamps in these vehicles, GM said, could temporarily or permanently fail to illuminate. No injuries or accidents have been associated with the problem, the company said.

U.S. factory growth slows in November

WASHINGTON – U.S. factories were slightly less busy in November, as production and hiring slowed, though the level of activity remained strong.

The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Monday that its manufacturing index slipped to 58.7 last month from 59 in October. Any reading above 50 signals expansion. October’s figure matched a three-year high reached in August.

Manufacturing has been a key driver of growth this year, as Americans have ramped up their purchases of autos and electronics. Yet other manufacturing data has pointed to a recent slowdown in output, and many economists said Monday that factories are probably not growing as fast as the ISM’s survey suggests. The index has topped 56 since June, up from an average of just 53.9 last year.

“Although we remain optimistic about the outlook …. we’re not convinced that conditions are quite as good as the ISM implies,” Paul Dales, senior economist at Capital Economics, said in a note to clients.

Yet a measure of U.S. export orders rose in November, the ISM said, surprising many economists. In addition to slowing overseas growth, the dollar has strengthened, which makes U.S. goods more expensive overseas.

Trump closes Taj Mahal hotel tower, ends credit

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Trump Entertainment Resorts says it is closing its newest hotel tower and is no longer issuing credit as it prepares for a Dec. 12 shutdown of the Taj Mahal, its lone remaining casino.

The company filed a petition last week with the state Division of Gaming Enforcement asking for formal permission to close the casino. The company said it was taking two actions effective Monday, the day the filing was made public: closing the Chairman Tower, the newer of its two hotel towers, and halting the issuance of credit.

The division has not acted on the petition, a spokeswoman said.