EQUITIES

S&P 500 index futures edged higher on Thursday as investors awaited data on the health of the hobbled labor market, which poses a potential hurdle for the nascent economic recovery.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday for the last trading session of the year, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.1 percent at 3.48 a.m. ET.

Asia stocks rose on Thursday, racking up a 68 percent gain for the year, as a jump in U.S. consumer confidence reinforced views that the world's largest economy is gradually recovering.

U.S. stocks ended a smidgen higher in very light trading on Wednesday as a stronger-than-expected report on Midwest U.S. business activity was offset by investors taking profits in some of the year's better performers.

The U.S. dollar firmed across the board on Wednesday and stocks eked out slight gains, adding to this year's big rally, after much better-than-expected business activity in the U.S. Midwest bolstered hopes of recovery.

Oil rose on Wednesday for a sixth day as a mix of cold weather and declining U.S. crude and fuel inventories lifted prices to near $80, all but ensuring this year's gain will be the best in a decade for crude.

Affluent investors turned bearish in December as their attention moved from the economy to concerns over health reform and fears the wealthy may be asked to pay more taxes.

Stocks edged lower on Wednesday as investors took profits in some of the year's better performers, offsetting a much better-than-expected report on Midwest business activity.

New York City's Times Square was closed on Wednesday, the day before the traditional New Year's Eve festivities in the famed intersection, and the nearby Nasdaq building was evacuated due to a suspicious vehicle parked on a street, police said.

Oil rose on Wednesday as the market weighed cold weather in the United States and government data showing drawdowns in U.S. crude and fuel stockpiles.

U.S. stocks were little changed on Wednesday as the dollar hit a three-month high against the yen, tempering a much better-than-expected report on Midwest business activity.

Oil rose slightly on Wednesday as the market weighed cold weather in the United States and U.S. government data showing drawdowns in crude and fuel stockpiles.

Stocks edged lower in light trading on Wednesday as a stronger dollar tempered better-than-expected Midwest business activity.

Stocks were little changed on Wednesday, as a stronger U.S. dollar outweighed data showing business activity in the U.S. Midwest expanded more than expected in December.

Wall Street was poised for a lower open on Wednesday, taking a cue from a decline in global markets, as investors found little reason to propel stocks higher as the market's solid year draws to a close.

Stock index futures fell on Wednesday, taking a cue from a decline in global markets, as investors found little reason to propel stocks higher as the market's solid year draws to a close.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.1 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.1 percent at 4.30 a.m. ET.

Asian share markets fell on Wednesday as year-end trade dwindled, with profit-taking pulling down shares and bankruptcy worries about Japan Airlines weighing on the Nikkei, while the dollar rose broadly.

Overstock.com Inc said on Tuesday it retained KPMG as auditor, six weeks after firing predecessor Grant Thornton and taking the unusual step of filing an unreviewed quarterly report with U.S. regulators.

U.S. stocks edged lower in a low-volume session on Tuesday, breaking a six-day string of gains as investors found little reason to push stocks higher as the year's end approached.

Stocks treaded water on Tuesday in a low-volume session after data showed a rise in consumer confidence, but a housing report pointed to more bumps in the road.

Short interest in Comcast Corp has jumped in recent weeks as some investors bet that the rise in the cable company's shares following its NBC Universal deal has reached a peak.

Investors' optimism surrounding the shares of airport security systems makers could be premature as interest in the companies' products after the Christmas Day plane scare is not expected to translate into immediate orders.

Stocks barely budged on Tuesday as data showing a rise in consumer confidence was offset by home prices stalling in October.

Stocks gained modestly on Tuesday, as better-than-expected consumer confidence data offset a separate report showing flat home prices in October.

Wall Street was set for a higher open on Tuesday after data showed home prices were unchanged in October and analysts said it suggested slow stabilization in the housing sector.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Tuesday as investors awaited data on housing and consumer confidence, two areas that are key in building on the still fragile economic recovery.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.16 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.1 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.15 percent at 4.10 a.m. ET.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.16 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.1 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.15 percent at 4.10 a.m. ET.