EQUITIES

Rising inflation, higher commodity prices and lower global economic growth will weigh on margins of S&P 500 <.SPX> companies, said Goldman Sachs, as it forecast a lower 2012 earnings outlook, and reduced its year-end target on the index.

Stocks extended their gains on Thursday, with the Dow turning positive and the Nasdaq hitting a session high despite some discouraging data earlier.

Stocks fell on Thursday following a rise in weekly jobless claims that added to concerns about an impending economic slowdown, while Goldman Sachs lowered its forecast for the S&P 500 index.

Stocks were little changed on Thursday following a rise in weekly jobless claims that analysts said had been priced into shares.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Thursday as the economy grew less than expected in the first quarter, adding evidence that global demand is slowing and underscoring recent equity weakness.

Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors looked ahead to data that could shed light on the economy's health amid worries that global demand was slowing.

Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors looked ahead to data that could shed light on the economy's health amid worries that global demand was slowing.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.35 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.35 percent at 4:50 EDT.

World stocks rose from a two-month low on Thursday while the euro hit a one-week peak versus the dollar, aided by higher commodities and a report on China's possible interest in bailout bonds for Portugal.

Asian stocks were on course for their biggest gain in a month on Thursday, led by resources and consumer sectors, with recovering commodity prices and the euro's rebound toward $1.42 bringing investors back into the markets in search of bargains.

Shares of American International Group Inc fell 4 percent on Wednesday as investors recognized that the U.S. government's exit from the insurer could take a long time.

U.S. stocks ended a three-day losing streak on Wednesday as recent underperformers led a thinly traded rally that wasn't seen as strong enough to overcome worries about waning global demand.

U.S. stocks rose modestly on Wednesday after days of selling produced a technical rebound and investors were lured by attractive share prices.

Stocks rose modestly on Wednesday after days of selling produced a technical rebound and investors were lured by attractive share prices.

Wall Street stocks were set for a lower open on Wednesday after weaker-than-expected manufacturing data added to evidence the U.S. economy's recovery was slowing.

LONDON, May 25 - European banks remain saddled with almost 100 billion euros of Greek government debt they can't sell, hedge or ignore, after a number of recent deals to offload the exposure to reduce the impact of a possible default ended in failure, according to bankers involved.

Shares of American International Group Inc fell more than 3 percent on Wednesday after the insurer and the U.S. Treasury sold $8.7 billion worth of stock.

Stocks fell slightly on Wednesday after data pointed to a slowdown in U.S. growth, but a technical rebound was possible with the benchmark S&P 500 at its lowest in a month.

Stock index futures fell on Wednesday, extending the previous day's slide, as signs the U.S. economy's recovery is slowing and worries about European debt weighed on sentiment.

Stock index futures fell on Wednesday, extending the previous day's slide, as signs the U.S. economic recovery may be slowing and worries about the euro zone's debt crisis weighed on sentiment.

Stock index futures pointed to a weak start for Wall Street on Wednesday, following a late sell-off in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones industrial average and the Nasdaq down 0.1 to 0.3 percent by 5:06 a.m. EDT.

World stocks fell while the euro headed toward a two-month low on Wednesday on concerns about the euro zone's spreading debt crisis and the potential for a further reduction of positions in risky assets.

Nokia planned to launch its first smartphone using Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 at the end of the year, according to Taiwan's Commercial Times, which did not identify a source.

U.S. stocks dipped in light volume on Tuesday as lingering concerns about a slowdown in growth more than offset gains in energy shares.

The Pentagon is very encouraged by Wall Street's response to aerospace companies and arms makers, even as defense spending flattens, the top U.S. weapons buyer said on Tuesday.

U.S. stocks dipped in light volume on Tuesday as lingering concerns about a slowdown in growth more than offset gains in energy shares.

Stocks edged lower on Tuesday as a rebound in commodity prices failed to offset lingering concerns about a slowdown in industrial growth.

Take a helping of Russian genius, add a portion of risk appetite and stir in a lot of patience, and you have the recipe for the resounding success of search engine Yandex's U.S. stock market float.

Stocks rose modestly on Tuesday as stronger oil prices led a rebound from the previous session when stocks closed at their lowest in a month.