Digital River stock up on Microsoft deal: Digital River Inc.’s stock closed up nearly 9 percent Thursday, after the e-commerce company reported it will provide additional services to Microsoft Corp. as part of an extended contract. Eden Prairie-based Digital River’s deal with Microsoft will now run through Oct. 31, 2013, the company reported in a regulatory filing. It was originally set to expire in the summer of 2012. Read full story

Cargill to close Toronto facility: Cargill Inc. plans to close its Toronto, Ontario, meat-packing plant in spring 2011, according to a recent announcement from the privately held agribusiness giant. Minnetonka-based Cargill said the decision affects 600 unionized employees and 90 management positions. At the same time that Cargill is closing the Toronto facility, it plans to increase operations at its Guelph, Ontario, meat-packing plant, a move that will create an additional 200 jobs. Read full story

Malt-O-Meal challenges Quaker Oats on instant oatmeal: Minneapolis-based Malt-O-Meal Co. believes it can make a better instant oatmeal than the smiling old guy with the wide, black hat. The Minneapolis-based cereal maker is launching a marketing campaign that promotes its new Better Oats brand of instant oatmeal in the Quaker Oats Co.’s home turf. Read full story