EQUITIES

U.S. stock index futures were up but eased from earlier highs on Tuesday after crude oil jumped and investors awaited testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

U.S. stock index futures were higher on Tuesday as investors awaited testimony from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who is not expected to cut short the Fed's bond buying program.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI>, the S&P 500 <.SPX> and the Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> all rising 0.6 percent.

Oil prices rose back above $112 a barrel on Tuesday due to concerns over unrest in the Middle East, though stock markets shrugged off the move, preferring to focus on optimism over the outlook for the U.S. economy.

Asian stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday, tracking U.S. shares which gained on optimistic remarks from influential investor Warren Buffett, while Chinese manufacturing growth slowed to a six-month low.

Asian stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday, tracking U.S. shares which gained on optimistic remarks from influential investor Warren Buffett, while Chinese manufacturing growth slowed to a six-month low.

Former Wells Fargo & Co Chief Financial Officer Howard Atkins received zero shares under the bank's long-term stock bonus program for 2011, the company disclosed on Monday.

Bullish comments from Warren Buffett helped U.S. stocks end another good month on a high note on Monday, but uncertainty about oil prices could keep investors from pushing the market much higher.

Stocks were poised for their third straight month of gains on Monday as encouraging economic data and optimistic comments from billionaire investor Warren Buffett boosted investors' appetite.

Barclays Capital said it is more constructive about U.S. corporate earnings for 2011, citing increased confidence in financial sector margins and lower economic uncertainty, and raised its full-year price target for the S&P 500 index <.SPX> to 1,450 from 1,420.

Investors pulled back from equities in favor of bonds and cash in February, Reuters polls showed on Monday, reacting to the Middle East and North African revolts and to a large run-up in stock market gains.

Stocks rose on Monday after Ventas Inc said it will buy Nationwide Health Properties for $5.8 billion and investor Warren Buffett said he was eyeing major acquisitions.

Stock index futures were mostly flat on Monday on continued concerns the unrest in Libya could spread through the region, though stable oil prices prevented further losses.

Stocks rose on Monday after bullish comments from a Federal Reserve official eased concerns that high oil prices could hurt economic activity.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Monday after bullish comments from a Federal Reserve official eased concerns that high oil prices could hurt economic activity.

Stock index futures were higher on Monday after bullish comments from a Federal Reserve official about the economy, easing concerns that high oil prices could hurt economic activity.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower opening on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.08 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.13 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.27 percent at 4.17 a.m. EST.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower opening on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.08 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.13 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.27 percent at 4.17 a.m. EST.

U.S. stocks rose on Friday, bouncing back from a three-day sell-off as oil prices stabilized, but unease over the Libyan rebellion could be enough to keep buying in check.

U.S. stocks rose on Friday, bouncing back from a three-day sell-off as oil prices stabilized, but unease over the Libyan rebellion could be enough to keep buying in check.

Boeing Co, its suppliers and investors had good reason to cheer after the company snared a $30 billion Pentagon order this week, but challenges loom as Boeing prepares to fill the historic order on what may be a tight budget.

The London Stock Exchange's top trading rivals failed to capitalize on the UK exchange's four-hour crash Friday as trading slowed across the market after the LSE's second trading glitch in a week.

Shares of Boeing Co gained 4 percent in premarket trade on Friday after the company won a $30 billion contract for 179 new U.S. Air Force refueling planes a day earlier.

Stocks rose on Friday after a week-long sell-off as oil prices stabilized from recent highs.

Stocks were set for a higher open on Friday, after a week-long sell-off as oil prices stabilized.

Stocks index futures rose on Friday after a week-long Wall Street sell-off as oil prices stabilized.

Stocks index futures rose on Friday after a week-long sell-off, adding to a late rebound in the previous session as oil prices stabilized.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open for Wall Street on Friday, adding to a late rebound in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones industrial average and for the Nasdaq up 0.5 to 0.7 percent by 5.02 a.m. EST.

Oil hovered above $112 a barrel on Friday and Asian stocks broke a four-day losing streak as concerns eased that a recent surge in energy prices would hurt demand for riskier assets and threaten broader economic growth.