EQUITIES

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Friday as investors speculated quarterly earnings would show continued growth, but volume during the session was expected to be light.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday on higher commodity prices, although volume was expected to be light until investors get a look at the first earnings reports.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday, led by energy and material stocks, as optimism about increased economic demand pushed commodity prices higher.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 up 0.3-0.4 percent.

Wall Street slipped on Thursday after a major aftershock in Japan reignited fears about its nuclear power crisis, but greater faith in the U.S. economy's steady path held losses in check.

Wall Street slipped on Thursday after a major aftershock in Japan reignited fears about nuclear crisis, but greater faith in the U.S. economy's steady path held losses in check.

U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday after another powerful earthquake hit Japan, renewing concerns about supply disruptions and the country's ongoing nuclear issue, but markets were off their lows as a number of retailers rallied on strong monthly sales.

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday shortly after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 hit Japan and a tsunami warning was issued.

U.S. stocks edged up in choppy trading on Thursday, helped by jobless claims and same-store sales data, but technical resistance to further gains was strong.

Wall Street stocks were set to open slightly higher on Thursday as positive labor market and same-store sales data brightened the outlook for consumer spending, a pillar of the U.S. economy.

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday before data on the labor market and same-store sales, which could offer clues about the outlook for U.S. consumer spending.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 trading little changed.

The S&P 500 inched forward on relatively light volume on Wednesday, with investors adding selectively to winning positions, this time in technology, avoiding large bets ahead of earnings.

Technology stocks led Wall Street slightly higher on Wednesday after comments from Cisco's chief executive bolstered optimism about the networking giant.

The S&P 500 index inched upward on relatively light volume on Wednesday, with investors adding to winning positions in technology stocks, but avoiding large bets ahead of corporate earnings due next week.

Technology stocks led Wall Street slightly higher on Wednesday after comments from Cisco's chief executive bolstered optimism about the networking giant.

(Corrects quote in paragraph 8)NEW YORK - Technology stocks led Wall Street slightly higher on Wednesday after comments from Cisco's chief executive bolstered optimism about the networking giant.

The S&P 500 paused near a seven-week high on low volume on Wednesday before the start of earnings reports next week, which investors hoped would provide the catalyst for stocks to advance.

The S&P 500 wavered near a seven-week high on low volume on Wednesday as investors refrained from making big bets before the start of earnings season next week provides the next catalyst for stocks.

The S&P 500 rose near a seven-week high on Wednesday as investors bet the upcoming earnings season and more merger activity will continue to lift equities.

U.S. stocks were set to rise at the open on Wednesday as investors bet the upcoming earnings season and more merger activity will continue to lift equities higher.

Futures on the S&P 500 hit their highest level in more than a month on Wednesday as investors bet the upcoming earnings season and more merger activity will continue to lift equities higher.

Futures on the S&P 500 hit their highest level in more than a month on Wednesday as investors bet the upcoming earnings season and more merger activity will continue to lift equities higher.

Wall Street was set to extend recent gains that have seen key indexes hit their highest since 2008, on optimism for economic recovery, and mergers and acquisitions activity.

The S&P 500 failed to break a key technical resistance level for a second day on Tuesday as low trading volume raised further questions about the market's strength.

The S&P 500 failed to break a key technical resistance level for a second day on Tuesday as low trading volume raised further questions about the market's strength.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as a large acquisition helped lift positive sentiment and offset another rate hike in China.

Stocks rose on Tuesday, led by tech shares after the proposed merger of two major semiconductor companies and an updating of a key Nasdaq index attracted buyers to the sector.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as a large acquisition helped lift positive sentiment and offset another rate hike in China.