EQUITIES

Stocks dropped on Friday after weak jobs growth in June dented hopes the economy was emerging from a temporary soft patch, casting doubt on a recent strong run in equity markets.

Stocks dropped on Friday after a weak rise in non-farm payroll jobs in June -- the second month in a row -- dashed hopes the economy was emerging from a temporary soft patch and headed for a rebound.

Stocks were set to open sharply lower on Friday after the June payrolls report fell short of expectations and dashed hopes the economic recovery had regained speed.

U.S. securities and accounting regulators will meet Chinese counterparts next week to negotiate an agreement on joint U.S.-Chinese inspections of auditing firms in China, the U.S. government said on Friday.

Stock index futures were flat on Friday before the June U.S. payrolls report, which should give investors important guidance on the economy.

Stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.1 percent, while futures for both the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 were up 0.1 percent.

Stocks closed sharply higher and the Nasdaq notched an eighth day of gains on Thursday as improved labor market and retail sales data added to optimism a day before the critical June payrolls report.

Stocks closed sharply higher and the Nasdaq notched an eighth day of gains on Thursday as improved labor market and retail sales data added to optimism a day before the June jobs report.

Wall Street jumped on Thursday after signs of life in the labor market and strong sales at some U.S. retailers lifted optimism in the economy ahead of Friday's key June jobs report.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday after a sharp rise in private-sector jobs raised expectations of a solid U.S. employment report for June.

Wall Street climbed on Thursday after a report showing a rise in private-sector jobs and strong sales at retailers lifted optimism in the economy.

Stocks climbed on Thursday after a sharp rise in private-sector jobs raised expectations of a solid U.S. employment report for June.

Stocks rose after the open on Thursday after data showed an improvement in the labor market ahead of Friday's key U.S. government monthly payrolls report.

Stock index futures rose on Thursday before data that may provide investors clues about Friday's key U.S. government monthly payrolls report.

Stock index futures advanced on Thursday before data on the labor market, which may provide investors clues about Friday's key payrolls report.

Wall Street was set to edge up on Thursday, with a key index at its highest in seven weeks, as investors await labor market data giving indications of the recovery in the U.S. economy.

Profit at Samsung Electronics, the world's largest maker of memory chips and televisions, fell by a quarter as weak earnings at its flat screen unit dragged, underlying the conglomerate's struggle to return to last year's record profit.

The euro steadied on Thursday with a widely expected rate hike from the European Central Bank later being offset by a spreading sovereign debt crisis, while China's bank stocks bounced on hopes of a near-term pause in policy tightening.

China's bank stocks bounced on Thursday on hopes of a near-term pause in policy tightening, keeping regional shares close to a one-month high, while the euro steadied before a widely expected rate hike from the European Central Bank later.

Profit at Samsung Electronics <005930.KS>, the world's largest maker of memory chips and televisions, fell by a quarter as weak earnings at its flat screen unit dragged, underlying the conglomerate's struggle to return to last year's record profit.

Transportation stocks were among the standouts in another flat session for U.S. equities on Wednesday, and the sector's rally could be cause for optimism ahead.

U.S. stocks were mostly flat on Wednesday as strength in transportation names helped offset a downgrade of Portugal's credit rating, which pressured banking shares.

Slow economic growth, skittish trading clients and regulatory worries that just won't go away -- the second quarter has been a punishing one for Wall Street's top investment banks and their shareholders.

Stocks bounced off session highs on Wednesday after investors shrugged off a downgrade of Portugal's credit rating and an interest-rate hike in China.

Stocks fell slightly on Wednesday after a downgrade of Portugal's credit rating, China's interest rate rise and a soft report on the U.S. services sector sparked jitters about global growth prospects.

Stocks were poised for a lower open on Wednesday after Moody's downgrade of Portugal's credit rating to junk and China's interest rate rise sparked jitters about global growth prospects.

Stock index futures fell on Wednesday after Moody's downgrade of Portugal's credit rating to junk and China's interest rate rise triggered unease about global growth prospects.

NEW YORK Stock index futures pointed to a weak start for Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones futures and Nasdaq futures down 0.2 to 0.4 percent by 5:06 a.m. EDT.

Chinese banking shares fell for a second day on Wednesday after a sovereign fund unloaded a stake in two banks, flashing a cautious signal about risk even after the euro clawed back losses endured on Moody's downgrade of Portugal to junk status.