PORTUGAL

Stocks tumbled on Friday to close out the worst week since January as news of a criminal probe into Goldman Sachs unnerved investors already anxious about the prospects for heavy regulation from Washington.

Standard and Poor's starring role in the latest chapter of the European debt crisis has rekindled criticism on Wall Street about the role of rating agencies in credit markets.

U.S. stocks tumbled on Friday to close out the worst week since January as news of a criminal probe into Goldman Sachs unnerved investors already anxious about the prospects for heavy regulation from Washington.

Global equities rose and the euro held on to gains on Friday as Greece readied new austerity measures to secure a multi-billion-euro aid package that could be announced in coming days.

Global oil prices extended gains in Asian trade Friday mainly on encouraging reports of resurgence in global economy. Light sweet crude for June delivery was seen trading at $85.61 a barrel at 11.30 a.m Singapore time while Brent crude was at $87.12 a barrel at the same time in London.

Stocks rose on Friday and the euro steadied on hopes that a fractious European Union will agree on a bailout package for Greece within days as it struggles to keep the debt crisis from spreading to other weak countries. Shares were also buoyed by strong earnings reports from major U.S. companies, which pushed up Wall Street stocks and bolstered hopes that the world's largest economy was picking u...

Stocks rose on Friday and the euro steadied on hopes that a fractious European Union will agree on a bailout package for Greece within days as it struggles to keep the debt crisis from spreading to other weak countries.

U.S. stocks chalked up their best day in nearly two months on Thursday as investors welcomed a string of robust earnings reports, while Greece appeared close to a bailout deal, easing fears about a wider sovereign debt crisis.

Greece readied severe austerity measures on Thursday to secure a multi-billion-euro aid package and avoid debt default, providing relief to financial markets but drawing threats of a mighty battle from unions.

Greece readied severe austerity measures Thursday to secure a multi-billion euro aid package needed to avoid default, providing relief to financial markets but drawing threats of a mighty battle from Greek unions.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday after the Federal Reserve said it was more upbeat about the economy and Greece looked closer to a bailout deal.

U.S. fund managers increased their already high exposure to equities in April and decreased bond allocations on signs the economic recovery is sustainable, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.

ECB Governing Council member Axel Weber said on Thursday the impact of any Greek debt default on other states would be incalculable and urged quick approval of an aid package to prevent market upheaval and contagion to other states.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday, looking to add to gains in the previous session after the Federal Reserve pledged to keep rates low for an extended period and Visa reported strong quarterly results.

Stock index futures were higher on Thursday, looking to add to gains in the previous session after the Federal Reserve pledged to keep rates low for an extended period.

Greece's borrowing costs fell on Thursday and the euro was off its one-year low on optimism that a bailout plan for Athens would be finalized soon, though Spain's risk premium rose after S&P's debt rating downgrade.

The euro steadied on Thursday, rebounding from a one-year low the previous day, as the Federal Reserve released a more upbeat view of the U.S. economy, offering some respite for markets as Europe continued to haggle over a bailout package for Greece.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday Greece's international bailout must be accelerated for the sake of the entire euro zone, as the far bigger Spanish economy suffered a credit rating downgrade.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve pointed to signs of strength in the economy, comments that gave some relief to investors worried about possible debt defaults in Europe.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve pointed to signs of strength in the economy in comments that gave some relief to investors worried about debt defaults in Europe.

The Federal Reserve offered a more upbeat view of the U.S. economy and employment prospects on Wednesday, even as it left interest rates on hold near zero and promised to keep them low for an extended period.