NEWS

Stocks rose for a third day on Thursday on relief that a ratings cut by S&P in General Electric was just one notch and that no further cuts loomed, while retail sales data showed some stabilization in consumer spending.

Stocks rose for a third day on Thursday on relief that S&P's credit rating cut for General Electric was just one notch and that no further downgrades loomed, while data showed some stabilization in consumer spending.

Stocks rallied for a third day on Thursday on relief that a ratings cut by S&P in General Electric was just one notch and no further cuts loomed, while data showed signs of stabilization in consumer spending.

Stocks rose for a third day on Thursday on relief that a ratings cut by S&P in General Electric was just one notch and that no further cuts loomed, while data showed some stabilization in consumer spending.

U.S. stocks climbed for a third day on Thursday, rising more than 2 percent to session highs after Standard & Poor's cut General Electric's ratings by just a single notch and signaled no further downgrades loomed, while data suggested some stabilization in consumer spending.

U.S. stocks gained for a third day on Thursday on relief that S&P cut General Electric's ratings by just a single notch and signaled no further downgrades loomed, while data suggested some stabilization in consumer spending.

Stocks rose for a third day on Thursday after Standard & Poor's cut General Electric's credit rating by just one notch below AAA and signaled no further downgrades loomed while data suggested some stabilization in consumer spending.

Stocks were set to open little changed on Thursday as a government report pointing to some stabilization in consumer spending overshadowed more bleak news on the labor market.

Stock index futures sharply cut losses on Thursday as news of a proposed takeover in the biotechnology sector tempered caution before data that investors fear may show more weakness in consumer spending and the labor market.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Thursday, on rekindled fears over the global economic outlook and the stability of the financial system.

Japanese shares fell more than 2 percent on Thursday and other Asian markets were on the defensive as confidence in a rally this week proved fleeting in light of a shaky global economy and financial system.

Stocks rose for a second day on Wednesday after JP Morgan Chase's chief executive said his bank was profitable in January and February, echoing comments by Citigroup's CEO a day earlier.

Stocks rose for a second day on Wednesday after JP Morgan Chase's chief executive said his bank was profitable in January and February, echoing comments by Citigroup's CEO a day earlier.

U.S. stocks edged higher in bumpy trading on Wednesday as a rise in technology shares helped temper unease about whether the government would soon lay out a plan to restore confidence in the banking system.

Stocks rose on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index attempting the first two-day advance in a month, as investors held out hope that Washington would restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

Stocks rose on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index attempting its first two-day advance in a month, as investors bet Washington would restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

Stocks rose at the open on Wednesday, buoyed by hopes that Washington will soon restore confidence in banks, but American Express kept the market's advance in check after a bearish broker view.

Stocks headed for a higher open on Wednesday, with financials set to lead another climb as investors bet Washington will soon restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday, signaling Wall Street will extend Tuesday's strong advance on bets Washington will act soon to restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

Stocks are set to edge up further on Wednesday, building on the gains made in the previous session when they posted the biggest rise in four months.

Asia stocks rose on Wednesday after hopes Citigroup will deliver a first-quarter profit sparked an improvement in investor confidence, though grim Chinese export data sent dealers buying the U.S. dollar for safety.

Asia stocks rose on Wednesday after hopes Citigroup will deliver a first-quarter profit sparked an improvement in investor confidence, though grim Chinese export data sent dealers buying the U.S. dollar for safety.

U.S. stocks posted their best day in four months on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the bank's survival prospects and sending its shares up 38.1 percent.

AT&T Inc on Tuesday said it would invest $17 billion to $18 billion through capital spending in 2009, in line with its previously announced plan to cut spending by up to about 15 percent.

Stocks rallied strongly on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and a key lawmaker said he expects the reinstatement of a rule that hinders bets a stock will fall.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the troubled bank's survival prospects.

Stocks rallied further on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and a key lawmaker said he expects a rule that makes it harder to bet that a share's price will fall will be reinstated soon.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the troubled bank's survival prospects.