EQUITIES

Stocks rose on Thursday as encouraging results from Morgan Stanley lifted optimism over the battered financial sector, while investors were cheered by the initial details over a rescue plan for Greece.

Standard & Poor's reiterated on Thursday it sees a real risk that future U.S. government deficits may meaningfully miss discussed targets and that there is a 50-50 chance the U.S. AAA credit rating could be cut within three months, perhaps as soon as August.

Stock index futures were flat on Thursday as investors awaited details on a second rescue package for Greece, though weakness in technology shares kept Nasdaq futures slightly negative.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday as encourage results from Morgan Stanley lifted optimism over the battered financial sector.

World stocks held below a 1-1/2 week high on Thursday after a disappointing services sector survey in the euro zone while the euro ticked up as investors awaited details of a Franco-German deal on a Greek bailout at a European summit later.

Nasdaq and Dow index futures were lower on Thursday as investors awaited details on a second rescue package for Greece, bringing the euro-zone's debt crisis back into the spotlight.

The euro climbed for a third day on Thursday after news about a France-Germany accord on Greece's debt crisis relieved some concerns ahead of a European summit, while Asian stocks slipped after China manufacturing data contracted for the first time in a year.

Apple Inc is within sight of catching up with Exxon Mobil as the most valuable company in the world.

Seventeen people were indicted on Wednesday on charges of running a high-end prostitution ring that catered to Wall Street clients who often spent more than $10,000 in a night, authorities said.

Stocks closed near unchanged on Wednesday, a day after Wall Street's best rally since March, as the oncoming debt ceiling deadline overshadowed strong earnings from Apple Inc.

Stocks closed near unchanged on Wednesday, a day after Wall Street's best rally since March, as the oncoming debt ceiling deadline overshadowed strong earnings from Apple Inc.

Stocks hovered close to the break-even point on Wednesday, with technology shares falling as Apple's blowout quarter failed to entice more buying after Wall Street's best day since March.

Stocks dipped on Wednesday, with technology shares falling as a blowout quarter from Apple failed to entice more buying after Wall Street's best day since March.

Sock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wednesday as continued strong earnings, including from Apple Inc , underscored the growing sense companies were faring well despite the soft patch in the economy.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday as continued strong earnings, including from Apple Inc , underscored the growing sense companies were faring well despite the recent soft patch in the economy.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday as continued strong earnings, including from Apple Inc , underscored the growing sense that companies were faring well despite the recent soft patch in the economy.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.23 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.32 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.77 percent at 0907 GMT.

Strong company results and hopes for a settlement in the U.S. debt ceiling row boosted global equities on Wednesday while currency markets remained on edge over the euro zone debt crisis.

Asian shares rose on hopes that an 11th-hour deal in U.S. debt talks would avert a rapidly approaching default while blowout results from Apple lifted the tech sector which is likely to extend gains into European trading as well.

Asian shares rose on Wednesday as indications of progress on a U.S. budget-reduction deal boosted investor confidence while encouraging quarterly numbers from Apple Inc and International Business Machines helped Asia's beaten-down tech sector gain for a second day.

Asian shares rose on Wednesday as indications of progress on a U.S. budget-reduction deal boosted investor confidence while encouraging quarterly numbers from Apple Inc and International Business Machines helped Asia's beaten-down tech sector gain for a second day.

Asian shares rose on Wednesday as indications of progress on a U.S. budget-reduction deal boosted investor confidence while encouraging quarterly numbers from Apple Inc and International Business Machines Corp helped Asia's beaten-down tech sector gain for a second day.

Asian shares rose on Wednesday as indications of progress on a U.S. budget-reduction deal boosted investor confidence while encouraging quarterly numbers from Apple Inc and International Business Machines Corp helped Asia's beaten-down tech sector gain for a second day.

Chipotle Mexican Grill reported a quarterly profit that missed Wall Street's view as margins were hurt by higher food prices and legal costs related to a federal probe of illegal immigrant hiring.

Stocks recorded their best day since March on Tuesday after strong corporate results and renewed hope for an agreement in Washington on thorny budget issues boosted investor confidence.

Stocks recorded their best day since March on Tuesday after strong corporate results and renewed hope for an agreement in Washington on thorny budget issues boosted investor confidence.

Stocks jumped 1 percent on Tuesday on strong earnings from IBM and Coca-Cola, offsetting investor disappointment in results from big financial firms.

Stocks jumped about 1 percent on Tuesday on strong earnings from IBM and Coca-Cola, offsetting investor disappointment in results from big financial firms.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc rattled investors with earnings that fell far short of analysts' estimates because of sharp declines in trading revenue.