ECONOMY & MARKETS

Almost two weeks after the bankruptcy of commodities firm MF Global Holdings Ltd., customers at rival firms are all asking the same question: How safe is my money?

The decision to lay off 1,066 people who worked for MF Global -- effective immediately and without severance -- will give people pause. But it is only the beginning of the nastiness in the MF Global saga

Toronto's main stock index was up more than 1 percent at midday on Friday as commodity prices rose on optimism that Italy would pass an austerity package that would calm fears about Europe's debt crisis.

Falling home prices and sales are pressuring liquidity and margins of Chinese property developers, raising concerns that smaller companies may be pushed to the brink of collapse.

Wedbush Securities downgraded its rating on shares of Cardiome Pharma Corp. (NASDAQ: CRME) to “neutral” from “outperform” as the trial of oral vernakalant continues to delay. The brokerage also lowered its fair value estimate to $4 from $8.50.

Should you decide you want to up from the mainland U.S. and go half way around the world to Guam to start a business, there are a few things that you will need to know.

The UK economic outlook for 2012 does not look bright.

The astronomically-high levels of interest short-sellers are giving shares of Groupon puts the company among the top 10 publicly-traded firms 'shorts' are betting against. That, most definitely, can't be good for Groupon.

India's economy is expected to grow at around 7.5 to 7.6 percent in the current fiscal year that ends in March, said Deputy Governor of the RBI Subir Gokarn on Friday.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.6 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.7 percent at 0924 GMT (4:24 a.m. ET).

Asian shares rebounded on Friday and the euro clawed higher, with European stocks also expected to make gains after brighter corporate news lifted U.S. stocks and debt-laden Italy was able to fund itself at a bond auction.

The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market gainers are: Spanish Broadcasting System, Home Inns & Hotels Management, Ubiquiti Networks, ServiceSource, and NVIDIA. The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market losers are: Fuwei Films Holdings, Focus Media Holding, The Andersons, Brooks Automation, and E*TRADE Financial.

European shares drifted higher Friday on expectations that some political developments in highly indebted Italy and Greece could pave the way for tough austerity measures that are crucial to contain the region's two-year-old debt crisis.

Asian shares rebounded Friday and the euro clawed higher, with European stocks also expected to make gains after brighter corporate news lifted U.S. stocks and debt-laden Italy was able to fund itself at a bond auction.

France's way of doing business is closely connected to French culture, and international businessmen and women (especially those from America) can sometimes make mistakes that sour a deal before it's even begun. Follow these eight tips on French cultural cues and taboos to avoid misunderstandings and to earn the respect of your international peers.

ArcelorMittal, the world's top steel maker, is on track to produce between 1.2 million and 1.3 million tonnes of iron ore from its Liberia mine in 2011, exceeding a 1-million-tonne target, and does not expect a decline in prices to impact the project's planned expansion, the company said on Thursday.

Commodities giant Glencore has signed a deal to buy energy trader Mercuria's 15 percent stake in South Africa's Optimum Coal Holdings (OCH) in its drive to acquire the whole company worth around $1 billion, sources close to the agreement said.

As the Eurozone Crisis boils, Ireland's continuous difficulties remain glaringly evident, in spite of the Nov. 2010 bailout.

The number of people filing for state unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since the first week of April, government data showed on Thursday. The Labor Department says new claims fell by 10,000 to 390,000 in the week ended Nov.5, registering below 400,000 for the second straight week.

Is the U.S. job market on the mend? Initial jobless claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. dropped for the second week in a row, to 390,000 -- their lowest level in seven months, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Shares of Cisco Systems, the world’s biggest supplier of Internet equipment, soared nearly seven percent Thursday after the company reported first-quarter results that slightly beat expectations.

Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) held its annual analyst meeting in Pawtucket, the Rhode Island, Wednesday and Wedbush Securities analyst Edward Woo came away with a continued positive view on the company.

The top pre-market NASDAQ Stock Market gainers are: Cisco Systems, Power-One, Elbit Imaging, NVIDIA, and Micron Technology. The top pre-market NASDAQ Stock Market losers are: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, OPNET Technologies, Kulicke & Soffa Industries, BioSante Pharmaceuticals, and KIT digital.

Tim Hortons Inc (THI.TO: Quote), Canada's No. 1 restaurant chain, reported a 40 percent jump in third-quarter profit thanks to strong sales, but said operating conditions were still tough in North America.

The euro rose from a one-month low versus the dollar on Thursday and top-rated government debt fell while world stocks held above a three-week trough on hopes that new governments being formed in Italy and Greece could help fend off a euro zone break up.

China's imports surged in October as exports grew at their slowest rate in months, suggesting efforts to tilt the economy toward domestic demand may be offsetting the external weakness that has dragged on economic growth this year.

Wedbush Securities said Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (NASDAQ: LXRX) phase 2a LX2931 for rheumatoid arthritis data presented at ACR confirm safety and support testing of higher doses.

Jefferies said Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) used its Analyst Day to outline major changes to its business model, product portfolio and technology focus.

Stock index futures pointed to a rebound on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 1.1 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.9 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 1 percent at 4:47 a.m. ET.