GLOBAL MARKETS

U.S. stocks fell on Friday for a third time this week as the Nasdaq Composite Index hit its steepest drop since Feb. 27, 2007, following a 5 percent rise in unemployment raising investors concern of an economic recession.

Brazilian and Mexican equities edged higher Thursday, as buyers sought bargains a day after U.S. economic worries sent stocks sharply lower.

The broader U.S. stock market was flat after an earlier rebound fizzled out on Thursday on concerns about technology spending in the new year and anxiety that Friday's payrolls data will offer fresh evidence the economy is headed into a recession.

Gold futures escalated to a new 28-year high on Thursday, increasing their gains after rallying more than $20 in the previous session as investors snapped up the precious metal on record breaking oil prices and amidst concerns of further tension in Pakistan, analyst said.

Stocks looked set to open lower on Wednesday, with the focus on economic data for clues about the outlook for growth and the Federal Reserve's next monetary policy move. Worries about the still escalating U.S. housing crisis and its implications for the overall economy point to a subdued start to the new year, Germany's Postbank said in a daily note.

U.S. stock index futures were pointing to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Thursday, as investors awaited data that could shed more light on the health of the economy.

Oil rose to a one-month high above $96 a barrel on Wednesday ahead of a U.S. government report expected to show crude inventories in the world's top consumer fell for a sixth straight week.

U.S. Stocks gained the most in two weeks, after news of a possible foreign investment in Merrill Lynch and a government report that consumer spending increased in November by the most in two years.

Oil and gas stocks fell on Thursday as crude oil prices moved closer $92 a barrel.

European stocks closed higher on Thursday, recovering from a three-session losing streak due on strong Oracle results that pushed technology shares higher as energy stocks rose along with oil prices.

US Stocks dropped in late morning trading, in spite of higher than expected earnings results from Oracle Corp. and Nike Inc.

Oil prices rallied on Wednesday as a slump in U.S. crude oil stockpiles to their lowest level in nearly three years rekindled worries of a winter supply crunch.

Hong Kong stocks on Wednesday rose again as investors made more gains with oil producer PetroChina Co Ltd ending a five session fall.

U.S stocks on Wednesday dropped after Standard & Poor cut its outlook on two companies that insure more than $1 trillion of debt.

Inflation causes ECB to move interest rates if necessary The European Central Bank is worried about inflation in the eurozone and ready 'to do whatever necessary' to avoid second-round effects, said ECB on Wednesday.

Stock rose on Wednesday after Morgan Stanley said it will sell a stake to a China firm, while the Federal Reserve said it would lend $20 billion to banks to improve market liquidity.

US Stocks rose on Tuesday and stock market across the Asia-Pacific region were trading higher after investors found comfort in the European Central Bank’s $500 billion loan injection to revive demand in struggling areas of the credit market.

Housing construction in November for single-family activity fell to the lowest in more than 16 years.

U.S. Stocks rose Tuesday as investors economic worries were consoled with the European Central Bank's $500 billion injection along with profit gains at Goldman Sachs and Best Buy.

U.S. stocks fell on Monday, as investor grew concerned over rising inflation, sending shares of Exxon and Caterpillar lower.

European stocks on Monday recorded a sharp decline and closed at their lowest in three weeks amid concerns of inflation effects on global markets and expectations of further rate cuts in the United States.

U.S stocks on Monday dropped amid concerns about the impact of mortgage rate on the economy, pushing down shares of bellwethers such as Caterpillar Inc.

Asian share markets, already ragged after five months of turmoil, fell deeper on Monday as rising U.S. inflation and high oil prices fanned concerns the Federal Reserve may be unable to make deeper rate cuts to prevent a possible recession.

U.S. stocks on Friday declined sharply amid concerns that rising inflation may prevent the Federal Reserve from lowering the interest rates which may affect the economy.

Stock futures pointed to a soft start on Wall Street later on Friday ahead of key consumer inflation data that could shape the market's expectations for interest rates.

Treasuries fell on Thursday after two U.S. government reports showed stronger than expected retail sales and inflation in wholesale prices, reducing the chance that the Federal Reserve will need to cut interest rates to give a boost to the economy.

The dollar advanced against the yen and euro on Friday on new data easing concern over a possible recession and reducing the need for an additional interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve to give the economy a jolt.

U.S. Stocks ended lower on Thursday following a mixed batch of economic readings, including a sharp rise in wholesale prices which failed to ease doubts about whether recent moves by the Federal Reserve would improve the economy.

U.S. stocks lowered sharply in late afternoon trading, ending lower than at the start of Wednesday trading, erasing a 272-point rally in the Dow Jones Industrial average.