GLOBAL MARKETS

Japanese stock markets plunged Tuesday as weaker-than-expected US manufacturing data and news that confirmed Spain has fallen into a double-dip recession weighed on the sentiment.

The top after-market NASDAQ gainers Monday were: PLX Technology, Kona Grill, Veeco Instruments, Central European Media Enterprises, Shutterfly and ShoreTel, Inc. The top after-market NASDAQ losers were: QuinStreet, PAREXEL International Corp, Integrated Device Technology, ImmunoGen and American Superconductor Corp.

U.S. stocks ended the last day of April on a sour note with all three major indices posting their first monthly loss of the year, following three months of solid gains. Investors were spooked by a duo of lackluster U.S. economic reports and news that confirmed Spain has plunged into a double-dip recession.

Futures on major US stock indices point to a lower opening Monday ahead of economic data including core PCE price index and Chicago PMI.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Monday are: Demand Media, Barnes & Noble, Sunoco, Mannkind Corp, Boston Scientific Corp, Vivus Inc, Range Resources Corp and Humana Inc.

Asian stock markets ended with gains on Monday as disappointing US economic activity data boosted hopes for further monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve.

Asian stock markets advanced Monday as investors shrugged off weaker-than-expected US economic growth and focused on a string of strong corporate earnings.

Markets shrugged off news of weaker-than-expected first-quarter growth in U.S. gross domestic product and responded positively, if modestly, to news of stronger-than-expected consumer confidence.

Bond investors brought the governments of Spain and Italy to the brink of crisis Friday as the cost of borrowing rose to nearly unsustainable levels.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Friday are: Expedia, Amazon.com, Zynga Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Ford Motor, Western Digital, Seagate Technology, Starbucks Corp and Fedex Corp.

Asian stock markets ended lower Friday as renewed concerns about the debt-laden Eurozone offset better-than-expected US pending home sales data and corporate earnings.

Futures on major US stock indices remained range-bound Friday ahead of the release of the economic data, which include key GDP figures.

Asian stock markets declined Friday as sentiment was subdued after Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's rating.

Asian shares rose on Friday, tracking U.S. stocks which jumped overnight on strong U.S. housing data and earnings, but concerns over the health of European banks weighed on investor risk appetite after Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's rating.

Asian shares inched up Friday, tracking U.S. stocks which jumped overnight on strong U.S. housing data and earnings, but concerns over the health of European banks weighed on investor risk appetite after Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's rating.

The bond market focused Thursday on weak economic data while equity investors responded to news that an unexpectedly high number of people sought first-time jobless benefits, leaving both types of securities higher.

Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX), the largest gold miner, said Thursday it sold its 20.4 percent stake in Russian company Highland Gold Mining Ltd. (London: HGM) for $130 million as it seeks to unload non-core business.

Asian shares gained on Thursday, retaining positive momentum as the Federal Reserve reassured markets that it will keep its highly accommodating stance to support growth, and optimism grew over strong corporate earnings after Apple Inc's robust results.

Joran Van Der Sloot, who is the only suspect in the 2005 disappearance case of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, will reportedly be extradited from Peru to the U.S. within the next three months to face extortion charges. But will the US also charge him for murder?

Strong first-quarter earnings and a slightly more positive view of the U.S. economy by the central bank offset disappointing durable goods numbers for March to boost equities and trim bonds.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Wednesday are: Apple Inc, Arm Holdings, Broadcom Corp, Sprint Nextel, Eli Lilly, Amgen Inc, Harley-Davidson, Baidu Inc, ABB Ltd and FMC Technologies.

Asian stock markets ended mixed Wednesday as market participants awaited the Fed meeting outcome for any hint at monetary easing.

Futures on major US stock indices point to higher opening on Wednesday ahead of the US Federal Reserve?s meeting and durable goods order data.

Asian stock markets advanced Wednesday as signs of an improvement in the US housing market and better-than-expected quarterly earnings from corporate majors buoyed sentiment.

Just three years into the bull market and in an environment of low interest rates and subdued sentiment, the U.S. stock market's valuation is already too rich, say asset management firm GMO LLC's Ben Inker and other investment experts

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade Tuesday are: Texas Instruments, Baker Hughes, Sprint Nextel, 3M Co, AT&T, Netflix, Big Lots, Waters Corp and Coach Inc.

Asian stock markets pared earlier losses and ended with gains Tuesday as investors turned their attention on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which kicks off today, for any hints at monetary easing.

Futures on major US stock indices point to a higher opening Tuesday ahead of key new home sales data and corporate earnings.

Most of the Asian stock markets declined Tuesday, following losses on Wall Street overnight as increased political uncertainty in France and the Netherlands as well as disappointing Euro zone manufacturing and services PMIs weighed on the sentiment.