UNITED STATES

AIG is to speed up plans to list its Asian subsidiary through an IPO that could raise more than $4 billion, as the bailed-out U.S. insurer seeks to raise cash to pay back government loans.

Stock index futures rose on Monday as stronger-than-expected quarterly results from No. 2 U.S. home improvement chain Lowe's Cos Inc further boosted hopes the recession was abating and spending was stabilizing.

The Obama administration's budget chief said on Sunday there are signs that the free-fall in the economy seems to have halted.

Oil rose to around $57 a barrel on Monday as traders saw the previous session's near 4 percent fall as excessive and violence in Africa's top oil exporter Nigeria lent support.

Germany could send a negotiation team to the United States at the end of the week to discuss solutions for General Motors unit Opel, Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said on Monday.

Oil bounced back to $57 a barrel on Monday, recouping some of the previous session's near 4 percent loss, buoyed by short-covering despite a still uncertain outlook for the global economy.

Most Asian stock markets fell on Monday on concerns about corporate profits and a still-uncertain outlook for the global economy, but Indian shares surged following the ruling coalition's sweeping election victory.

Oil hovered little changed above $56 a barrel on Monday, pausing from the previous session's near 4 percent loss, as the market awaited further economic data and movements in equities markets for directions.

AIG said it would accelerate plans to separate its Asian subsidiary through an initial public offering as the bailed-out U.S. insurer seeks to raise cash and list the unit as soon as possible.

Japan's Nikkei stock average lost 2.9 percent on Monday, briefly touching its lowest point since May 1, as Sony Corp and other exporters fell in the wake of an advancing yen.

President Barack Obama urged both sides in the abortion debate on Sunday to pursue a fair-minded discussion as he sought to quell a firestorm over his invitation to speak at Notre Dame, a premier U.S. Catholic university.

Hundreds of firefighters, police and medical personnel descended on lower Manhattan on Sunday near the site of the September 11 attacks for an emergency response drill simulating an explosion on a commuter train in a tunnel between New York and New Jersey.

American Idol reaches its climax this week, still ruling the roost on U.S. television after eight seasons, but the battle of the songsters faces declining audiences and limits to its viewer-driven format.

American International Group Inc said on Sunday it would accelerate plans to separate its Asian subsidiary through an initial public offering.

Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 2.5 percent on Monday as exporters such as Sony Corp were hit by a stronger yen, while Panasonic Corp tumbled in the wake of a gloomy earnings forecast. Panasonic lost 7 percent after it forecast a bigger-than-expected annual loss following a record quarter of red ink battered by weak demand, price falls and restructuring costs.

Oil hovered little changed above $56 a barrel on Monday, pausing from the previous session's near 4 percent loss, as the market awaited further economic data and movements in equities markets for directions.

Stocks are likely to hit more speed bumps this week as investors become more wary of Wall Street's ability to rally further and housing starts, jobless claims and other indicators are in the spotlight.

The Obama administration's budget chief said on Sunday there are signs that the free-fall in the economy seems to have halted.

Medtronic is armed with cash, ambition, a desire to acquire and a commitment to buy back stock and pay dividends, moves that could drive the medical device maker's shares up 25 percent to 30 percent in the next 12 months, Barron's reported on Sunday.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc said on Sunday it sued Bayer AG over its rights to an anti-cancer compound that it says it discovered during joint research with the German drugmaker.

Investors might have underestimated Wal-Mart Stores Inc's prospects once economic recovery begins, but the retailer's management is buying the stock because it knows it is trading at a bargain, Barron's reported on Sunday.