EQUITIES

Stocks rose on Thursday as data showed continuing claims for jobless benefits dropped and a separate report revealed the trade gap unexpectedly narrowed for October, a boost to economic growth.

Wall Street was poised to open higher on Thursday after new claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected but the number of people seeking extended benefits fell, and a separate report showed the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed.

Stock index futures rose on Thursday as investors awaited weekly data that will provide a measure of the health of the jobs market.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.3 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.2 percent.

World equities were generally weaker on Thursday, adding to five sessions of losses, although Europe rebounded after recent hits over some of the region's more vulnerable economies.

Government bonds in Australia and South Korea fell on Thursday as investors pushed forward expectations for interest rate rises in 2010 because of bullish growth views, while Asian stocks slid on year-end profit taking.

The Australian dollar surged on Thursday after November jobs growth blew away expectations, while Asian stocks posted small gains ahead of a slew of Chinese economic data on Friday expected to reflect robust growth.

Stocks ended higher on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar fell and investors' appetite for risk returned, lifting shares of financial, technology and natural resource companies.

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Stocks ended higher on Wednesday, reversing earlier losses, as a weaker dollar fueled appetite for riskier assets, boosting shares of financial, technology and natural resource companies.

Shares of U.S. health insurers lost initial gains on Wednesday as new proposed regulations that are part of efforts to overhaul the health system overshadowed momentum from the decline of a government-run insurance plan.

Stocks ended higher on Wednesday as weakness in the U.S. dollar fueled appetite for riskier assets, propelling shares of financial, technology and natural resource companies into a late-hour advance.

U.S. stocks rebounded late on Wednesday, led by shares of financial, technology and natural resource companies.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell slightly on Wednesday on concerns about foreign debt and a weak outlook in the tech sector, but positive wholesale inventory data limited losses.

Shares of U.S. health insurers rose on Wednesday after efforts to overhaul the health system moved away from creating a government-run insurance plan long viewed as damaging to the industry.

Stocks dipped on Wednesday as an unexpected rise in wholesale inventories was offset by an outlook from Texas Instruments Inc that suggested the recovery in technology spending would be sluggish.

Wall Street was set for a modestly higher open on Wednesday, potentially bouncing back from two sessions of losses as investors regained some optimism about the strength of the market rally.

As soothsayers and strategists gaze into 2010, one statistic on the retiring baby-boom generation makes anxious reading for stock market bulls.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday, indicating shares could bounce back after two sessions of losses as investors regain some optimism about the strength of the market rally.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday, signaling a recovery in Wall Street after the previous session's losses.

Global equities slipped on Wednesday with Japan leading the falls on concerns over the pace of recovery, while crude oil prices recovered and the euro picked up from a one-month low on bargain hunting.

Japan led a slide in Asian stock markets on Wednesday as worries about the strength of a global recovery prompted investors to trim some bets ahead of the year end, while the euro picked up from a one-month low on bargain hunting.

Asian stocks slid and government bonds mostly rose on Wednesday after U.S. corporate news increased worries on export demand and debt rating downgrades sent investors seeking safety ahead of the year end.

Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson said on Tuesday he still sees compelling long-term returns in equities even after their sharp run-up this year, while holding no short positions in the credit markets.

Stocks fell on Tuesday after disappointing corporate news from 3M Co and McDonald's, while negative developments in global credit markets caused a shift to safe-haven assets.

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Stocks fell on Tuesday after disappointing corporate news from 3M Co and McDonald's, while negative developments in global credit markets caused a shift to safe-haven assets.

Stocks fell on Tuesday after a disappointing outlook from 3M Co and weak domestic sales at McDonald's Corp fanned worries that sluggish consumer spending threatened the economic recovery.

Stocks fell on Tuesday after a disappointing outlook from 3M Co and a second straight month of falling domestic sales at McDonald's Corp triggered concern about consumer spending.