NEWS

Japan's Nikkei average fell 2.1 percent on Thursday as exporters slid on a firmer yen and renewed concerns about the U.S. economy, while Nikon Corp tumbled after it forecast its first annual operating loss in 11 years.

A day after saying big U.S. banks probably needed to raise only one-fourth the capital demanded by the government, Standard & Poor's said the nation's banking crisis has merely entered a new phase and might not end before 2013.

The Obama administration plans to regulate sophisticated financial instruments linked to last year's market turmoil by requiring standardized over-the-counter derivatives to be cleared through central clearinghouses, two congressional staff workers told Reuters on Wednesday.

Stocks tumbled on Wednesday as a gloomy retail sales report revived recent anxiety about the economy's struggle and caused a broad sell-off that accelerated late in the session.

Stocks tumbled on Wednesday as a gloomy retail sales report revived recent anxiety about the economy's struggle and caused a broad sell-off that accelerated late in the session.

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Stocks slumped on Wednesday after retail sales data came in worse than expected, hurting shares in the sector including Wal-Mart Stores Inc and blurring the economic outlook.

U.S. stocks retreated on Wednesday after key U.S. retail sales data came in worse than expected, dampening hopes of a quick economic recovery.

Stocks fell on Wednesday after key U.S. retail sales data came in worse than expected, dampening hopes of a quick economic recovery.

Stock index futures pointed to a drop of more than 1.5 percent at the open on Wednesday after key U.S. retail sales data came in worse than expected, dampening hopes of a quick economic recovery.

Stock index futures fell about 1 percent on Wednesday as investors waited for key retail sales data for an indication of the mood of the U.S. consumer.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wednesday as investors waited for key retail sales data for an indication of the mood of the U.S. consumer.

The U.S. dollar fell to a four-month low on Wednesday as optimism about a global recovery and concerns about U.S. fiscal health reduced its safe haven appeal, while oil prices near $60 a barrel helped energy shares push most Asian stock markets higher.

As the market for U.S. office, retail and apartment building loans heads south, investors in commercial mortgage-backed securities and servicers of the loans are feuding over how to best save their skins.

The Dow rose on Tuesday as investors scooped up defensive shares, including Pfizer , while energy companies' stocks climbed as oil hit a six-month high.

The Dow rose on Tuesday as investors bought into defensive shares, including Pfizer , while energy companies climbed as oil hit a six-month high.

General Motors Corp stock plunged more than 22 percent to a 76-year low on Tuesday, a day after GM's top executives dumped their shares as the automaker heads toward a bankruptcy or a restructuring that would all but wipe out existing shareholders.

Stocks fell on Tuesday as financial and technology shares weakened after a recent strong run-up, while energy shares cushioned the blue-chip Dow industrials from the worst of the losses.

Stocks pared gains on Tuesday as declines in financial and technology shares outweighed positive comments on the economy from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and efforts by Bank of America Corp to shore up its balance sheet.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Tuesday after the previous session's bout of profit taking.

European stocks edged higher while world stocks came off an earlier low and oil hit its highest level in almost six months on Tuesday as expectations grew the worst might be over for the global economy.

Asian shares fell for a second consecutive session on Tuesday as some of the confidence that fueled a recent rally was dampened by reports that highlighted the weakness in the global economy.

The Nikkei average fell 0.7 percent on Tuesday after booking a six-month closing high the previous day, with bank shares such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group taking a breather following sharp gains fueled by optimism about the U.S. banking system.

Stocks fell on Monday as investors booked profits in financials after a two-month run-up and news of several banks' share offerings heightened worries about their dilutive impact on current shareholders.

Four big U.S. banks on Monday said they would sell $6.55 billion of common stock and repay funds from the government's bank bailout program, after federal stress tests showed they can weather a deep recession without new capital.

The Dow and the S&P 500 fell on Monday due to profit taking after a two-month run-up, while news of several share offerings weighed on banks as investors worried about their dilutive impact on current shareholders.

U.S. stocks fell on Monday as investors booked profits after a strong run and several major banks announced large common stock offerings to repay government bailout funds.

Four big U.S. banks on Monday announced plans to sell more than $6 billion of common stock, in an effort to raise capital and repay funds received under the government's bank bailout program.

Stock index futures fell about 1 percent on Monday as investors paused after a week when bank stress test results and optimism on the economy boosted the S&P 500 index into positive territory for the year and the Nasdaq closed out its ninth week of gains.