EQUITIES

World stocks held steady below a recent two-year high on Monday while the euro hit a two-week low as concerns over the euro zone debt crisis persisted following last week's Irish rating downgrade.

Asian shares fell to their lowest in over a week on Monday, led by a 2 percent slide in Shanghai stocks as thin year-end trading made for exaggerated moves, not helped by mounting tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The S&P clung to a two-year high on Friday as investors predicted a pause as volumes are expected to dry up in the days ahead, and after a 5 percent gain already so far in December.

The S&P 500 closed slightly higher on Friday to cling to a two-year high, while investors predicted a pause in the days ahead, when volumes are expected to dry up and after a 5 percent gain so far in December.

The S&P 500 and Dow were slightly lower on Friday amid renewed concerns over euro zone debt, but strong results in the tech sector helped keep the Nasdaq in positive territory.

S&P 500 index futures dipped on Friday on renewed concerns about the euro zone debt crisis after Ireland's credit rating was slashed.

The S&P 500 and Dow were slightly lower on Friday on renewed concerns over euro zone debt, but the Nasdaq stayed in positive territory on some positive corporate results in the tech space.

The S&P 500 and Dow were slightly lower on Friday, weighed by renewed concerns over euro zone debt after Ireland's credit rating was slashed.

Yan Qin is a freelance consultant and do-it-yourself stock trader who works out of her apartment in Queens, New York. From the comfort of her living room, she keeps one eye on the business TV network CNBC, the other on a laptop computer, where her E*Trade account shows the best prices down to the penny, flickering moment to moment.

Stock index futures were little changed on Friday as wary investors kept their eyes on the euro zone debt crisis after Ireland's credit rating was slashed.

The U.S. dollar fell on Friday, struggling for support as a rapid rise in U.S. bond yields ebbed, while Asian stocks clawed higher after two days of declines.

U.S. stocks were modestly higher on Thursday after bellwether FedEx offered a bullish forecast, while trade was tight as investors continued to adjust toward year-end.

U.S. stocks gained ground on Thursday after bellwether FedEx offered a bullish forecast and as investors poured money into shares that have done well.

Stocks were little changed on Thursday as indexes struggled to break through a technical range and economic bellwether FedEx posted results that missed estimates but offered a bullish forecast.

Wall Street was set to open little changed on Thursday after economic bellwether FedEx reported quarterly results that missed expectations, suggesting an economic recovery remained tentative.

Stock index futures turned flat on Thursday, giving up some gains after economic bellwether FedEx reported quarterly results that missed expectations.

Stock index futures were slightly higher on Thursday as investors awaited data on jobs and housing and corporate earnings from bellwether FedEx for signs of improvement in the economy.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat to slightly higher open for Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones industrial average and for the Nasdaq flat to up 0.1 percent by 0913 GMT.

Despite the weak U.S. economy, this year could be the second most profitable for New York City's securities industry, and the average bonus may top last year's because so many bankers and brokers have been laid off.

Despite the weak national economy, this year could be the second most profitable year for New York City's securities industry and the average bonus may top last year's because so many bankers and brokers have been laid off, the state comptroller said in a report on Wednesday.

U.S. stocks suffered a third straight late-day sell-off on Wednesday, suggesting it may be difficult to chalk further gains as the year comes to a close.

Stocks fell on Wednesday as the dollar rallied after Moody's warned Spain its debt rating could be downgraded, bringing concerns about the euro-zone debt crisis back to the forefront.

Wall Street was set for a lower open on Wednesday after a warning for Spain about its credit rating rekindled fears about the euro-zone debt crisis.

Stocks were little changed on Wednesday, trimming earlier gains as the dollar advanced, while investors tried to gauge how much further markets could run to year-end.

Stocks rose modestly on Wednesday after encouraging economic data and as investors continued to favor shares that have seen strong gains.

Stocks edged higher on Wednesday as better-than-expected data on U.S. manufacturing and industrial activity outweighed worries about euro-zone debt sparked by a warning on Spain's credit rating.

Stock index futures dipped on Wednesday after a warning for Spain about its credit rating, rekindling fears about euro-zone debt.

Stocks eked out gains and U.S. Treasuries prices slumped on Tuesday after the Federal Reserve showed no signs of curtailing its economic stimulus measures and U.S. retail sales data signaled an accelerating economic recovery.

First Solar Inc forecast higher-than-expected 2011 profit of $8.75 to $9.50 per share and said its sales would grow by about 46 percent to between $3.7 billion and $3.9 billion.