EQUITIES

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Friday as a recent spate of improving economic data beckoned investors back into equity markets for a second day.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Friday as a recent spate of improving economic data beckoned investors back into equity markets for a second day.

Equity markets and high yielding currencies gained on Friday while bonds and the dollar fell, as U.S. jobs and factory data the previous session rekindled hopes that the global economy may be recovering from recession.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Friday, as stocks were poised to add to the previous session's gains.

Asian stocks snapped a four-day slide on Friday and government bond yields climbed after upbeat U.S. factory and jobs data provided more evidence that the global economy is recovering from its deep recession.

The Dow and S&P 500 gained on Thursday, breaking a three-day losing streak, as data on the job market and regional manufacturing revived hopes that the recession-hit economy is stabilizing.

The Dow and S&P 500 gained on Thursday, breaking a three-day losing streak, as data on the job market and regional manufacturing revived hopes that the recession-hit economy is stabilizing.

Stocks gained on Thursday after a recent small pullback as data on the jobs market and regional manufacturing revived hopes that the recession-hit economy is stabilizing.

The Dow and the S&P 500 rose on Thursday following three days of losses as economic data pointing to stabilization in the job market and improving regional business conditions lifted investor sentiment.

Pier 1 Imports Inc posted a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss, helped by improved merchandise margins due to reduced supply chain costs and decreased clearance activity, sending the home furnishings retailer's shares soaring 25 percent.

Stock index futures turned higher following a government report showing that the number of people staying on jobless benefits after drawing an initial week of aid posted its largest one-week drop since November 2001.

Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday ahead of figures for weekly jobless claims and other indicators that investors hoped would show the recovery was gaining traction.

Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday ahead of figures for weekly jobless claims and other indicators that investors hoped would show the recovery was gaining traction.

Dow Jones futures rose 0.1 percent and S&P 500 futures also rose 0.1 percent while Nasdaq futures fell 0.2 percent by 0913 GMT, suggesting a mixed start for U.S. stock markets on Thursday.

Asian stocks retreated on Thursday, with some investors booking profits after solid gains in the second quarter sparked by signs the global economy is starting to recover.

Technology shares buoyed the Nasdaq on Wednesday after positive broker comments on Qualcomm, but financial shares' losses held back the Dow and the S&P 500.

U.S. stocks were mixed on Wednesday, weighted by a downgrade of 18 banks by Standard and Poor's and a disappointing earnings outlook from economic bellwether FedEx Corp .

(Corrects comment initially sent at 11:58 a.m. to change number of banks downgraded by S&P to 18 in second bullet and lead paragraph)

(Corrects unofficial close to remove 22 and read several in reference to S&P's debt downgrades of banks)

Oil rose on Wednesday, supported by government data showing a drop in U.S. crude supplies, gains in the stock market and a weaker dollar.

Stocks climbed on Wednesday, led by technology and biotech stocks, while declining financial shares reined in the Dow's and S&P's gains after a broad debt ratings downgrade on banks.

The Nasdaq rose more than 1 percent on Wednesday as investors snapped up technology shares after a two-day sell-off, while both the Dow and the S&P 500 clung to modest gains as healthcare shares advanced.

Stocks were mixed on Wednesday, weighted by a downgrade of 22 banks by Standard and Poor's and a disappointing earnings outlook from economic bellwether FedEx Corp .

The benchmark S&P 500 index should surge back to its October 2007 record above 1,500 by the end of 2012, provided the U.S. economy sees a V-shaped recovery, JPMorgan Chase Chief U.S. Equity Strategist Thomas Lee said on Wednesday.

Stocks slipped on Wednesday, weighted by a downgrade of 22 banks by Standard and Poor's and a disappointing earnings outlook from economic bellwether FedEx Corp .

Stocks slipped to session lows mid-morning on Wednesday, weighed down by bank shares after Standard and Poor's cut ratings and outlooks on 22 U.S. banks and after a disappointing earnings forecast from bellwether FedEx Corp .

Stock index futures pointed to a flat to lower open on Wednesday as key data for May tempered inflation concerns but was offset by a disappointing earnings outlook from package delivery company FedEx Corp .

S&P 500 stock index futures fell and Dow futures turned negative on Wednesday after package delivery company FedEx Corp forecast an extremely difficult operating environment for the first two quarters of its fiscal year.

Stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as caution prevailed ahead of key inflation data for May and quarterly results from package delivery company FedEx Corp that may shed light on the strength of the economic recovery.