GLOBAL MARKETS

U.S. stocks advanced in early trade on Thursday after official data showed that applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. fell unexpectedly last week to reach the lowest level since May 2008, indicating an improving labor market.

If Yahoo decides to divest its Japanese assets, then it might look to monetize its assets in china as well, where it owns about 40 percent of the Internet company Alibaba Group.

China will further expand its yuan settlement program for exporters across the country, reported the People’s Daily, citing a statement from the central bank. At the end of last year, 67,000 exporters already participated in the program.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade on Thursday are: Williams Companies, Keycorp, Big Lots, Dow Chemical, Corning, Micron Technology, Salesforce.com, Carnival, Nvidia and Family Dollar Stores.

The top pre-market NASDAQ stock market gainers are: Global Defense Technology & Systems, DUSA Pharmaceuticals, BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Nova Measuring Instruments, and Novavax. The top pre-market NASDAQ stock market losers are: Fuel Systems Solutions, Sigma Designs, YRC Worldwide, Perry Ellis International, and The Bancorp.

Yahoo is said to be in talks to sell its 35 percent stake in Yahoo Japan, a move that will give Yahoo the necessary cash infusion to fight against arch rival Google and Facebook.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a higher opening on Thursday ahead of economic data including key weekly jobless claims and non-farm productivity.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTX) announced positive interim results on Wednesday from a Phase 2 two-part study of 'telaprevir' combination therapy for treatment of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HCV-HIV co-infection. The shares of the drugmaker touched a new 52-week high of $47.82 on Wednesday.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a higher opening on Thursday ahead of economic data including key weekly jobless claims and non-farm productivity.

Most Asian stock markets ended higher on Thursday, helped by upbeat U.S. jobs data and an easing of oil prices after reports of a possible peace deal in Libya.

Shares of Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) touched a new 52-week high of $34.90 on Wednesday.

The top after-market NYSE gainers on Wednesday are: Sauer-Danfoss, Big Lots, KeyCorp, NeoPhotonics and Horizon Lines. The top after-market NYSE losers are: Greif, Northstar Realty Finance, MPG Office Trust, CVR Energy and PolyOne Corp.

U.S. stocks ended with modest gains on Wednesday after ADP National Employment report showed that the private sector employment rose more than expected in February, but shares came off their highs due to fears over the continued unrest in Libya and rising crude oil prices.

The top after-market NASDAQ stock market gainers are: Green Plains Renewable Energy, InterMune, Zumiez, Netlist, and RadNet. The top after-market NASDAQ stock market losers are: Sigma Designs, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Wonder Auto Technology, MakeMyTrip, and Cbeyond.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) slashed its forecast for airline industry profits in 2011, citing the recent surge in oil and jet kerosene prices. The association warned of substantial deterioration in profits if rising energy costs significantly weakens economic growth.

Hong Kong stocks are set to rise slightly on Thursday as investors seek bargains amongst Chinese shares listed locally as mainland markets look poised to continue their outperformance relative to the region.

U.S. stocks edged up higher on some positive jobs data and reassurance from the Federal Reserve that the economy is recovering. However, any equity gains were capped by fears over the continued unrest in Libya and rising crude oil prices.

Bill Gross of PIMCO is concerned for the US government. To him, the big question is who will buy US Treasuries (i.e. lend to the US government) once the Federal Reserve stops QE2.

U.S. stocks edged up higher on some positive jobs data and reassurance from the Federal Reserve that the economy is recovering.

Gold touched a record high above $1,440 an ounce on Wednesday, as a bullish confluence of political unrest in Libya, surging oil prices and easy monetary policies spurred safe haven buying.

London Commodity Brokers (LCB) aims to sell 2 million tonnes of South African thermal coal a year for Strategic Natural Resources (SNR) PLC, using the port of East London rather than the highly congested Richards Bay.

The Nigerian naira weakened further against the U.S. dollar on the interbank market on Wednesday as strong demand for the greenback persisted in the face of static supply, traders said.

The municipal bond market could see up to $100-billion in defaults over the next five years as state and local government debt woes get worse, according to a report from Roubini Global Economics.

Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ: TZOO), a publisher of travel newsletters and websites, continues to quickly ramp up its Local Deals business, generating an estimated $2.1 million in net revenues in February, compared with estimated net revenues of $1.3 million in January, $1.5 million in December, $1 million in November, and $650,000 in October, Wedbush Securities said.

U.S. stocks advanced in early trade on Wednesday after ADP National Employment report showed that the private sector employment rose more than expected in February.

Gold prices held just below the previous session's record high in Europe on Wednesday, as the acceleration of global inflation and the threat that violence in the Middle East and North Africa will spread supported interest in the metal as a haven from risk.

The top pre-market NASDAQ stock market gainers are: Shanda Games, Mecox Lane, China Techfaith Wireless Communication Technology, Cytori Therapeutics, Novavax, and Yahoo!. The top pre-market NASDAQ stock market losers are: Wonder Auto Technology, Vical, Sina, Hudson City Bancorp, and Joy Global.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade on Wednesday are: Yahoo, Newmont Mining, The Dow Chemical, Motorola Mobility Holdings, Carnival Corp, Xilinx, Texas Instruments, MetLife, Health Care and Eog Resources.

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