UNITED STATES

Asian stocks dipped on Friday, but still headed for their best weekly gain in four months as hopes the global economy could not get any worse continue to bolster riskier assets.

Asian stocks rose on Friday, trying for a fifth day of gains, as hopes the global economy could not get any worse kept investors buying riskier assets, though U.S. and Japanese data left some doubts lingering.

EQUITIES PUSH TROUGH AND HOLD ABOVE KEY RESITANCE LEVELS AS BETTER THAN EXPECTED TREASURY AUCTION RESULTS SUPPORT CONFIDENCE FOR US RECOVERY STRATEGIES.

US Treasury futures seesawed between the recent ranges defined by last week’s FOMC post meeting rally. The markets ended the session posting strong gains after

Sumner Redstone's National Amusements has received interest from strategic rivals and private equity firms for its U.S. and U.K. theater chains, two sources with knowledge of the auction said.

For years, U.S. hedge fund managers have worried that their loosely regulated and secretive industry would one day face tougher regulations.

Economic uncertainty due to job losses means potential home buyers should hold off as prices are set to drop up to 20 percent in the next 18 months, economist Nouriel Roubini said on Thursday, according to report.

Two of the most respected U.S. newspaper publishers, The Washington Post Co and The New York Times Co, are embarking on new cost cuts in the face of dramatic declines in advertising revenue.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Wall Street faces curbs on risk taking and the prospect of lower profits under sweeping U.S. proposals to prevent a repeat of the credit crisis.

American International Group Inc , which has received $180 billion in U.S. taxpayer money, was subpoenaed on Thursday by New York's top legal officer for information on its credit default swaps contracts, sources familiar with the matter said.

U.S. corporate profits plunged a record $120.1 billion in the fourth quarter as the economy shrank at its fastest pace since 1982, depressed by a slump in consumer spending and exports, government data showed on Thursday.

President Barack Obama said on Thursday the administration would unveil its next steps to help the troubled U.S. auto industry in the coming days, provided the companies push ahead with a sweeping restructuring.

Best Buy Co posted a 23 percent drop in quarterly profit, but its shares rose after the retailer's adjusted results topped Wall Street estimates, and it forecast full-year profit above expectations as it benefits from the closure of former rival Circuit City.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Top Federal Reserve officials hinted on Thursday that the long U.S. economic downturn could be in its final stages, although the early stages of recovery will likely be far from stellar.

American International Group Inc , which has received $180 billion in U.S. taxpayer money, was subpoenaed on Thursday by New York's top legal officer for information on its credit default swaps contracts, sources familiar with the matter said.

Stocks rose for a second straight day on Thursday on continued optimism the U.S. recession may be easing, as fourth-quarter economic data and weekly jobless claims that were in line with expectations kept the focus on positive signs earlier in the week.

Two former KPMG executives convicted of selling improper tax shelters should be sentenced to as much as 24 years imprisonment, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday.

Stocks rose for a second straight day on Thursday on continued optimism the U.S. recession may be easing, as fourth-quarter economic data and weekly jobless claims that were in line with expectations kept the focus on positive signs earlier in the week.