UNITED STATES

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, sending both the Dow and the S&P 500 to fresh 13-month closing highs, as economic data reinforced hopes of stabilization in the labor and housing markets, but traded volume was light ahead of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

U.S. stocks rose in light trading volume on Wednesday, supported by data that pointed to stabilization in the labor and housing markets, areas that have fed concerns about a double dip recession.

The Australian Dollar opens higher today at 0.9310 after a positive local session. Support held on Wednesday morning at US92 cents followed by a steady climb during Asian trade to an intraday peak of 0.9252.

Debtholders of bankrupt Tribune Co have asked a judge to deny the media company's request for more time to present a plan of reorganization so the lenders themselves can offer a plan, according to court filings.

The United States unveiled a plan to cut greenhouse gases by 2020 on Wednesday and said President Barack Obama will attend U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen next month -- before other world leaders show up.

Rich and poor states grouped in the Commonwealth and representing a quarter of the world's population hope to create critical momentum toward a global climate deal when they meet in the Caribbean this week.

U.S. regulators are increasingly looking beyond stocks in their insider trading investigations to examine derivatives and credit default swaps, a top Securities and Exchange Commission official said.

Bank of America Corp has asked a Manhattan federal court to dismiss an investor class-action lawsuit over its Merrill Lynch & Co purchase, including disclosures about Merrill's losses and bonus payouts.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, supported by data that pointed to stabilization in the labor and housing markets, areas that have fed concerns about a double dip recession.

U.S. stocks rose up on Wednesday, supported by data that pointed to stabilization in the labor and housing markets, areas that have been stoking concerns of a double dip recession.

U.S. software company Oracle will present to European Union regulators on Dec. 10 its case for buying computer maker Sun Microsystems, two people with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.

Leading euro zone officials expect no immediate results from talks in China this weekend to push for an appreciation of the yuan, euro zone sources said. We are reasonable enough to understand that two months is not feasible, and we are determined enough to convey the message that two years is too long, one of the sources said of European views on when the yuan should be allowed to rise.

U.S. mortgage rates sank to or near record lows in the past week, home funding company Freddie Mac said, improving affordability in a battered U.S. housing market that is starting to gather steam.

U.S. consumer spending and housing sales rose more than expected in October while new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week, suggesting the economic recovery was gaining traction.

General Motors targeted Germany on Wednesday for the bulk of 9,000 planned job cuts at European arm Opel, turning the tables on the country that lobbied hardest for an Opel sale to Canada's Magna.

Sales of newly built U.S. single-family homes in October rose more than expected to their highest level in a year, data showed on Wednesday, pointing to a stabilizing housing market after a three-year slump.

U.S. stocks edged up on Wednesday, supported by data that pointed to stabilization in the labor and housing markets -- two sectors largely considered responsible for slowing down a recovery.

The fight over a U.S. government-run public insurance plan may be getting louder and noisier, but for now the program's political symbolism far exceeds its practical impact on expanding health coverage.

Buyers of offsets in the global voluntary carbon market are showing increased interest in so-called exotic and U.S. credits, market players said on Wednesday.

U.S. consumer sentiment improved slightly in November from earlier in the month, but it was weaker than October as deep anxiety lingered over personal finances, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's demand for rock-bottom prices from suppliers in China means some of these companies are forcing their employees to work in sweatshop-like conditions, a new report said on Wednesday.