GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian stocks eased on Monday with financial shares extending their slide as persistent credit worries offset a positive U.S. employment report, which showed twice as many jobs as expected were added last month.

Investors banking on more interest-rate cuts may get some clues about what comes next from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who testifies before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress on Thursday.

The dollar dropped to a record low against the euro and a major currency basket on Friday, on persistent worries about credit and unreported losses at financial firms, which overshadowed a strong U.S. payrolls report.

Stocks fell on Friday as gains from an unexpectedly strong jobs report were quickly overwhelmed by fears of more fallout from the credit crisis.

The dollar fell to a record low against the euro on Friday, but gained ground versus the yen after strong data on the U.S. job market encouraged investors to wade back into risky carry trades.

Wall Street looked set to open on the upside on Friday after government data showed that more than twice as many jobs were created in October as economists had expected.

European shares weakened again on Friday, as investors continued to sell down the banking and financial services sector as worries about the extent of exposure to U.S. home loans continued to weigh.

Asian markets fell sharply Friday, hurt by a sell-off on Wall Street.

Financials led a sharp drop on Wall Street on Thursday, wiping out the previous session's Fed-fueled gains, after brokerages downgraded the two biggest U.S. banks, sparking fears of more credit crisis fallout. Adding to the gloom, Exxon Mobil reported profits that fell short of analysts' expectations due to slim margins from gasoline production and lower natural gas prices.

The dollar retreated against the yen while other high-yielding currencies tumbled on Thursday, as investors backed out of riskier assets on renewed worries about troubles in the global financial sector.

Stocks sank on Thursday after a confidence-shaking downgrade of Citigroup by a brokerage that put the No. 1 U.S. bank's dividend in question and added to concern the mortgage crisis may claim more casualties. Adding to pressure, Exxon Mobil reported earnings that fell short of expectations.

World stocks dropped from earlier all-time highs on Thursday while the dollar rebounded from a record low after the Federal Reserve made a widely-expected U.S. interest rate cut and moderated expectations of further easing.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after signs that the economy is showing strong growth and expectations that today’s Federal Reserve quarter-point cut for its benchmark interest rate will promote growth.

Stocks rose on Wednesday, fueled by investors' expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later on Wednesday and a stronger-than-expected performance by the economy in the third quarter.

The dollar rebounded from record lows against the euro and a major currency basket on Wednesday after advanced government estimates showed the U.S. economy in the third quarter grew at its fastest pace since the beginning of last year.

The dollar touched an all-time low against the euro on Wednesday, while Asian stock markets marked time as many investors sat on the sidelines ahead of a widely expected interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Stock index futures were higher before Wall Street's opening on Wednesday in the run-up to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement, the highlight of which is expected to be a cut in interest rates.

Asian stock markets were subdued on Wednesday while the dollar wallowed near a record low against the euro with investors reluctant to take big positions ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates.

Stocks fell on Tuesday after a weak outlook from Procter & Gamble, disappointing earnings from U.S. Steel and a report showing consumer confidence at a two-year low fueled worries about the economy, consumer spending and corporate profits. Adding to the nervous atmosphere was some uncertainty about the outcome of Wednesday's Federal Reserve interest-rate decision, while a 3 percent pullback in oil prices hit energy stocks.

Stocks fell on Tuesday after disappointing quarterly results from Procter & Gamble and U.S. Steel hurt confidence in the earnings outlook, while a Wall Street Journal article raised doubt the Federal Reserve would lower interest rates this week.

The dollar traded little changed against the euro and a major currency basket on Tuesday, paring some of its earlier gains due to data showing U.S. consumer confidence fell to its lowest in two years.

The dollar edged up from the previous day's record lows versus a basket of major currencies on Tuesday as investors marginally trimmed expectations the Federal Reserve will cut rates this week.

Stock index futures fell on Tuesday after a Wall Street Journal article cast doubt on the chances for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut on Wednesday.

Asian stocks and oil prices retreated from their peaks on Tuesday and the dollar halted its slide as investors held their fire ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting, where an interest rate cut is widely expected. European stocks also looked set for a weaker start,

U.S. stocks rose on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting where policy makers are expected to make an a cut in interest rates.

The dollar gained on the euro after falling to record lows on Tuesday but expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates this week could lead to a fall once again.

Stocks rose on Monday as investors bet that the Federal Reserve will cut benchmark lending rates this week and that soaring commodity prices will boost profits of metal and energy producers.

Expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut this week boosted world stocks for a third straight session on Monday and sent the dollar to record lows, while surging energy and gold prices buoyed emerging markets.

The dollar recovered from lifetime lows against the euro and a major currency basket on Monday, helped by speculation the Federal Reserve will cut U.S. interest rates by only a quarter of a percentage point this week, rather than by half a point.