EQUITIES

Stock index futures were mostly lower on Wednesday ahead of durable goods and new home sales data and one day after upbeat consumer and housing indicators helped lift shares to 2009 highs.

Wall Street was set to open little changed on Wednesday after data for new orders of long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods recorded their biggest gain in two years in July, but rose less than forecast, excluding transportation.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 rise 0.1 to 0.4 percent, pointing to a firmer start on Wall Street on Wednesday.

Stock index futures fell on Wednesday as oil futures turned lower and ahead of durable goods and new home sales data.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 rise 0.1-0.4 percent, pointing to a firmer start on Wall Street on Wednesday.

World stocks steadied just off this week's 10-month high on Wednesday while a closely-watched German survey, showing a bigger-than-expected improvement in business morale, gave the euro a brief shot in the arm.

Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, with thin summer trading volumes keeping prices choppy and centered on short-term chart targets, while oil hovered near $72 a barrel, capped by a surprising rise in U.S. inventories.

U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday as economic data and the renomination of Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke reassured investors and offset concerns about red ink in the federal budget.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as economic data and the reappointment of Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke strengthened expectations for a recovery and offset forecasts of federal budget red ink.

In late August's quiet trading, four troubled financial companies have accounted for a big piece of total volume on the New York Stock Exchange, with all four rallying on little news.

Stocks climbed on Tuesday, briefly hitting 2009 highs after strong housing and consumer confidence data, while Ben Bernanke's renomination as Fed chairman ended uncertainty about the central bank's leadership as the economy recovers.

U.S. stocks pushed ahead on Tuesday after strong housing and consumer confidence data briefly sent indexes to 2009 highs, and investors were relieved about Ben Bernanke's renomination as Fed chairman.

Stocks gained on Tuesday but were off session highs, after strong housing and consumer confidence data and Ben Bernanke's renomination as Federal Reserve chairman cheered investors.

Top office-products retailer Staples Inc on Tuesday reported a 38 percent drop in quarterly profit as labor costs increased and its customers bought fewer bigger-ticket items such as furniture.

Stock index futures were higher on Tuesday on news that Ben Bernanke will be renominated as chairman of the Federal Reserve and ahead of key consumer confidence and housing data.

Stock index futures were slightly higher on Tuesday on news that Ben Bernanke will be renominated as chairman of the Federal Reserve and ahead of key consumer confidence and housing data.

Top office products retailer Staples Inc on Tuesday reported a 38 percent drop in quarterly profit as costs increased.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a mixed start for Wall Street on Tuesday after U.S. shares ended flat in the previous session as investors took a breather from a four-day rally.

U.S. stocks ended the day barely changed on Monday as investors took a break from a four-day rally that lifted major indexes to 10-month highs.

U.S. stocks ended the day barely changed on Monday as investors took a break from a four-day rally that lifted major indexes to 10-month highs.

Stocks edged higher on Monday, but pulled back from intraday peaks after a four-day rally that drove the major indexes to 10-month highs.

Shares of chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices Inc rose nearly 10 percent on Monday after Citigroup upgraded the company to a buy.

Stocks rose to 10-month highs on Monday, extending last week's gains as investors became even more optimistic about signs that major world economies were emerging from recession.

Stocks rose to 10-month highs on Monday, extending last week's gains as investors became even more optimistic about signs that major world economies were emerging from recession.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, with stocks looking to extend last week's gains on signs that major world economies were emerging from recession.

Stock index futures rose on Monday after four straight positive sessions for Wall Street, as global stocks hit 10-month highs on hopes that the U.S. economy will soon start to recover from recession.

Stock index futures indicated a stronger start on Wall Street on Monday, extending the previous session's gains after stronger U.S. housing data and optimistic comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke lifted sentiment.

Stock index futures rose on Monday after four straight positive sessions for Wall Street, as global stocks hit 10-month highs on hopes that the U.S. economy will soon start to recover from recession.

U.S. stock index futures indicated a stronger start on Wall Street on Monday, extending the previous session's gains after stronger U.S. housing data and optimistic comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke lifted sentiment.