ECONOMY & MARKETS

U.S. home prices rose 2 percent in May, another sign that the depressed housing market is stabilizing, data firm CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX) said Monday.

While this week will be interrupted midway by the Fourth of July holiday, the barbecues and fireworks are unlikely to take away from the importance of Friday's June nonfarm payrolls report. Monday's ISM manufacturing index will also be in focus.

Brightpoint, Lincare Holdings, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Barclays, Nokia Corp, Verizon Communications, Tata Motors and Dollar Tree are among the companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading Monday.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open Monday as investor sentiment turned positive with indications of improvement in business conditions in Asia and also continued optimism on the measures taken at the EU summit.

Asian Stock markets ended flat Monday as the optimism over Europe's moves to tackle the region's debt crisis faded and lackluster data from China also weighed.

Most European markets rose Monday as investors were encouraged by the hopeful economic indications from Asia and also the measures taken at the EU summit last week.

Crude oil futures declined during Asian trading hours Monday after reporting their biggest one-day price surge in three years in the previous session as a breakthrough in the European Union summit in Brussels boosted sentiment.

Most Asian markets rose Monday amid indications of improving business conditions in Japan and on continued optimism about the measures taken in the EU summit to alleviate the euro zone debt burden.

One hundred years after former President Teddy Roosevelt first proposed it, the United States -- the richest nation on earth -- has finally joined the world?s other, major, industrialized economies in having a universal health insurance plan.

Now that we?ve passed through the first half of 2012, it?s time to reflect on some technology events and anticipate what might be ahead. Maybe we can make a few predictions.

Spain's economy shrank further in the second quarter but looks set to stabilize over the rest of the year while the government continues to push structural reforms and budget austerity, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said on Sunday.

China's factory downturn worsened in June as a key activity index hit a seven-month low; the report is expected to raise expectations that the central bank may seek more policy easing.

Asian markets are expected to begin the week on the upswing gains after leaders of the European Union agreed on action to stem the region's debt crisis.

The top after-market Nasdaq gainers Friday were Medical Action Industries Inc, Velti plc, PowerSecure International Inc, ATP Oil & Gas Corporation and Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. The top after-market Nasdaq losers were: Electronic Arts Inc, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc, Jive Software Inc and Dendreon Corporation.

The top after-market NYSE gainers Friday were: SAIC, EXCO Resources, Talisman Energy, Furmanite Corp and Owens-Illinois. The top after-market NYSE losers were: Sanchez Energy Corp, Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp, Schawk, Tahoe Resources and Ultra Petroleum Corp.

Most Asian markets rose this week as investor sentiment turned positive with the announcement of measures at the EU summit in Brussels aimed at alleviating the current debt crisis gripping the euro zone.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) won't adopt a new restriction that could have prevented thousands of prospective home buyers from obtaining low-cost mortgages.

Disappointed by the lack of aggressive action by the U.S. Federal Reserve during the meeting of its powerful rate-setting committee last week, and expecting little more than rehashed promises from the leaders of Europe this week, pessimistic market-watchers are turning to once again guessing when the clock atop the Eurozone time-bomb will finally run to 0.

Consumer spending in the U.S. was flat in May for the first time in five months, the Commerce Department said Friday, as slower job creation and stagnant wage growth prompted Americans to cut back.

Ever since the International Olympic Committee awarded London the 2012 Olympic games, many questions have been raised about the games' costs and benefits to the city.

Fushi Copperweld, Bank of America, Banco Santander, Caterpillar, Citigroup, Research In Motion, Nike and Infosys Ltd are among the companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading Friday.

Asian stock markets rallied Friday as sentiment was buoyed after leaders at the European Union summit in Brussels agreed on important plans to tackle the region's debt crisis.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open Friday as euro zone leaders at a Brussels summit agreed upon emergency measures to lower Italy's and Spain's borrowing costs and create a single regulatory oversight body for euro zone banks.

European markets rose Friday following encouraging announcements at the European Union summit in Brussels, where EU leaders are tackling the debt crisis threatening the financial union.

Crude oil futures rallied during Asian trading hours Friday after European Union leaders agreed on support for Spain and Italy.

The top after-market NYSE gainers Thursday were: Accenture, Basic Energy Services, WellCare Health Plans, Sturm, Ruger & Company and Unit Corp. The top after-market NYSE losers were: Nike, Team Health Holdings, Thompson Creek Metals Company, Under Armour and Ford Motor Co.

Most Asian markets rose Friday as investors remained hopeful that policymakers would reach an agreement on bold steps to save the euro zone at the EU summit.

A wave of retiring U.S. baby boomers may lead to an increase in unconventional loans known as reverse mortgages in coming years, but the practice comes with risks, according to a report released Thursday by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

While Republicans and most conservatives might well be disappointed by Thursday?s Supreme Court decision to uphold President Barack Obama?s Affordable Health Act, one of their own is the person of the day: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.