EQUITIES

Stocks ended slightly higher on Tuesday as mergers and acquisitions supported selected sectors, but investors pulled back from recent gains in some big-cap technology and bank shares.

The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp is expected to offer $3.8 billion of guaranteed securitizations backed by the residential mortgage assets of failed banks, market sources said on Tuesday.

Stocks headed for a third straight day of gains on Tuesday as investors drew cheer from more mergers and acquisitions and signs of progress in securing European financial backing for Greece.

Stocks gained on Tuesday as an increase in mergers and acquisitions and signs of progress in securing European financial backing for Greece eased investor fears.

U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday as an increase in mergers and acquisitions and signs of progress in securing European financial support for Greece relieved investor fears.

Fertilizer maker CF Industries Holdings Inc relaunched its hostile bid for Terra Industries Inc , betting that a higher price of $4.75 billion would help it break up Terra's planned takeover by Yara International ASA .

U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday, with major indexes turning positive for the year, as Greece appeared to be taking steps toward a resolution on aid from the European Union.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 were little changed at 0950 GMT.

U.S. stocks were set for a higher open on Tuesday, a day after the S&P 500 moved into positive territory for the year, as Greece appeared to be making progress toward a resolution on aid from the European Union.

Stock index futures rose on Tuesday, a day after the S&P 500 moved into positive territory for 2010, as Greece appeared to be making progress toward a resolution on aid from the European Union.

Stock index futures rose on Tuesday, a day after the S&P 500 moved into positive territory for 2010, as Greece appeared to be making progress toward a resolution on aid from the European Union.

The pound came under further pressure on Tuesday, battered by political worries and engorged public finances, while global equities stayed relatively buoyant.

Asian shares climbed for a third session on Tuesday, led by tech stocks, while the Australian dollar slipped on uncertainty about the pace of future interest rate hikes.

Asian shares rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, led by tech stocks, while the Australian dollar slid ahead of what is expected to be a close decision by the central bank on whether to raise interest rates again.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is happy with his current investment in New York Times Co, one of his close aides told Reuters on Monday.

The U.S. stock market rose on Monday as economic reports continued to signal recovery in key sectors of the economy.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is happy with his current investment in New York Times Co, one of his close aides told Reuters on Monday.

The broad U.S. stock market rose in another light trading session on Monday due to rising shares in the tech sector and target firms linked to a flurry of mergers and acquisitions deals.

U.S. stocks headed for a second straight day of gains on Monday, boosted by AIG's deal to sell a unit for $35.5 billion and efforts to solve Greece's debt problems, which have clouded the outlook for global recovery.

Shares of U.S. airlines rose on Monday amid growing sentiment the economy may be on the mend and that the airline industry is poised for mergers.

Stocks rose on Monday, boosted by AIG's deal to sell its Asian life insurance unit and prospects for solving Greece's debt problems, which have increased fears about the outlook for global recovery.

The tech and capital goods sectors are leading a stock market rally on Monday on bullish industry reports and economic data that points to recovery.

Stocks extended gains on Monday after a report showed the U.S. manufacturing sector continued to grow in February, while a run-up in semiconductor company shares and Apple Inc's stock underpinned advances in the technology sector.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.5 to 0.7 percent, pointing to a higher start to Wall Street on Monday.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Monday after AIG said it would sell its life insurance unit in Asia and deal looked near for a European Union bailout of Greece.

Global markets are recovering as various media reports surfaced that Germany and France are planning a 30 billion euro Greece bailout.

HSBC Holdings missed expectations with a $7 billion annual profit after bad debts rose and risked a public backlash by paying three investment bankers over 9 million pounds ($13.7 million) each.

Payrolls could give the U.S. stock market some direction this week as investors comb through the key report on one of the economy's weakest areas.

Warren Buffett defended his issuance of $10.6 billion of Berkshire Hathaway Inc stock as part of this month's acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp -- even as he admitted that issuing stock is as much fun as preparing for a colonoscopy.