FIRST-QUARTER LOSS FOR BALL CORP.

Broomfield-based Ball Corp. posted a $127 million net loss for the first quarter on earnings of $1.8 billion, down from the same period last year, when it earned $21 million on revenue of $1.9 billion.

The loss comes as the company prepares to complete its acquisition of the U.K.’s REXAM Corp. in late June. The acquisition, if completed, will make Ball the world’s largest manufacturer of metal cans.

CEO John Hayes said the first quarter’s weak performance was due to poor results in China and soft sales in several other regions.

Exxon sees smallest profit in 16 years.

Exxon Mobil posted its smallest quarterly profit in more than 16 years Friday, while Chevron lost $725 million, its worst showing since 2002, and raised the number of jobs it expects to cut this year from 7,000 to 8,000. Other oil companies are expected to report weak earnings in the next few days.

Rovi buying TiVo in $1.1B cash-and-stock deal.

Digital TV listing company Rovi is buying TiVo in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $1.1 billion.

Rovi Corp. said Friday that it will pay $10.70 in cash and stock for each TiVo Inc. share. Rovi will pay $2.75 per share in cash, or about $277 million. The rest, $7.95 per share, will be paid in stock. Once the deal closes, the combined business will use the TiVo name.

Oculus Rift delays flatten fan fervor. Many wouldbe

fans of the Oculus Rift headset — possibly most — are still waiting for their $600 gadgets more than four weeks after they started shipping.

The delay has sparked online grousing. Oculus, which has blamed the delays on an “unexpected component shortage,” said in a statement it has moved to address the shortage and expects deliveries to accelerate in coming weeks.

American Airlines CEO takes “at will” status.

American Airlines Group CEO Doug Parker ended his contract with the world’s biggest carrier, switching his employment status to “at will” to match that of the company’s 100,000 workers.

The move was disclosed by American in a U.S. regulatory filing Friday. It means he isn’t guaranteed a set level of compensation and benefits, nor is he protected from a change in control at the company or covered by severance provisions, the filing said.

Beer maker halts production B

caracas, venezuela» The country’s largest brewer, Cerveceria Polar, said it shut down production Friday at the last of its four factories because of a shortage of imported supplies.