Driverless cars was a trending topic in pre-market trade in in New York.
No, this is not some kind of ghost story. General Motors (NYSE:GE) has revealed a tie up with Japanese Honda Motor Co Ltd (TYO:7267) to develop such electric cars for mass production.
Honda will pay an initial $750 million for a 5.7% stake in the business division GM Cruise, with a further $2 billion investment over the next 12 years.
Meanwhile, another Japanese company Toyota Motor Corp (TYO:7203) is teaming up with SoftBank to create a new joint venture called Monet to develop businesses that will use driverless-car technology to offer new services, it was reported on Thursday.
General Motors shares added 0.38% to $34.13, while Honda shares gainesd 0.24%.
Elsewhere, Barnes & Noble Inc (NYSE:BKS) shares ramped up almost 22% to $6.65 in pre-market deals as the bookstore firm's board said it was mulling a possible sale of the troubled company.
The firm has appointed a special committee to review offers. Sales at the group have fallen every year for each of the last four years.
Last but not least, gold was back but not the precious metal type but more plastic, namely the credit card.
American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) saw shares drop a tad - 0.09% - to $108.35 in pre-market deals as it relaunched its popular Gold Card in a bid to win over more millennial customers.
The American Express Gold Card, is being positioned as a premium dining product, as it offers rewards programs related to food.