NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were little changed in choppy trading on Friday as a sharp selloff in banks due to a huge loss by JPMorgan was offset by strong technology shares.

(Reuters) - From water worries to well blowouts, the inherent risks of oil and gas extraction are often played down by those in the business. But another group of profit-seekers has every reason to keep a close eye on dangers for drillers: their insurers.

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co's shock trading loss of at least $2 billion from a failed hedging strategy knocked financial stocks across the globe on Friday, as well as the reputation of the biggest U.S. bank by assets and its CEO Jamie Dimon.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc, faced with allegations that its Mexican unit paid $24 million in bribes to accelerate its expansion, could be forced to hire an independent monitor to ensure future compliance with U.S. anti-corruption laws.

(Reuters) - One of the earliest critics of Chesapeake Energy Corp is a 70-year-old Denver investor with no patience for e-mail.

(Reuters) - Fairway Market, the high-end grocery store chain that traces its origins to a fruit and vegetable stand in New York City in the 1930s, is considering going public, five sources familiar with the situation said.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - LinkedIn Corp and private equity firm Silver Lake Partners are among a number of parties that have expressed interest in a potential deal for Monster Worldwide Inc , according to people familiar with the matter, as the Internet jobs-search company is preparing data for potential buyers.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in more than four years in early May as Americans were upbeat about the job market and buying plans improved, a survey showed on Friday, offering an encouraging sign for the economic recovery.

LONDON (Reuters) - Edoma Partners, the hedge fund run by ex-Goldman Sachs star Pierre-Henri Flamand, has lagged behind rivals this year after a "frustrating" period when it missed out on a rally in stock and bond markets, a letter to its investors showed.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Producer prices unexpectedly fell in April as energy costs dropped by the most in six months, a sign of easing inflation pressures that could give the Federal Reserve more room to help the economy should growth weaken.