NEWS

U.S. index stock futures pointed to a higher wall street open on Wednesday as a jump in the price of oil and other commodities spurred a rebound in energy and natural resource stocks.

Asian stocks rallied on Wednesday on hopes Beijing will step up efforts to support the Chinese economy, helping the entire region, while the U.S. dollar rose to a three-year high as investors scrambled to limit risk.

Stocks fell in volatile trading on Tuesday, with the S&P ending below 700 for the first time since October 1996 as persistent uncertainty about the amount of money needed to shore up the financial system overshadowed a hunt for bargains.

Oil prices rose nearly 4 percent on Tuesday on expectations producer group OPEC will cut output again and as stock markets traded higher.

Stocks rose in choppy trade on Tuesday as U.S. equity prices at 12-year lows ignited a search for beaten-down shares and the energy sector led the way up as oil rose.

U.S. stocks mostly edged higher on Tuesday after President Barack Obama said share prices are potentially a good deal at current levels, offsetting persistent uncertainty about plans to shore up the financial system.

Pending sales of existing U.S. homes fell sharply in January, with the index dropping to a record low, according to a report on Tuesday that showed the deteriorating economy was keeping buyers on the sidelines.

Stocks cut gains on Tuesday following cautious comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on the economy's prospects and a report that showed further deterioration in housing.

Stocks rose on Tuesday as investors bet U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would shed light on plans to shore up the financial system a day after Wall Street slumped to a 12-year low.

Citigroup Inc said on Tuesday it will allow some newly unemployed homeowners to temporarily reduce payments on their mortgages.

U.S. stocks slid to 12-year lows on Monday as a record $61.7 billion loss for AIG and another government bailout for the insurer heightened concerns about the extent of the damage to the financial system.

U.S. consumer spending rebounded in January, snapping six months of declines, and incomes rose unexpectedly, boosted by salary increases for government employees, a government report showed on Monday.

Stock index futures slid on Monday, putting Wall Street on track to extend a global rout as embattled insurer American International Group's report of a $61.7 billion quarterly loss suggested the financial crisis is worsening.

Stock index futures slid further on Monday after beleaguered insurer American International Group posted a $61.7 billion quarterly loss, signaling no let-up in the fallout from the worsening financial crisis.

Wall Street is unlikely to get a reprieve next week as relentless worries about U.S. banks and the economy could embolden bears to drive the market below the 12-year lows hit on Friday.

U.S. stocks fell and the S&P 500 marked its worst-ever start to a year on Friday, after the government said it will take a large stake in Citigroup's common shares, fanning fears it will increase its role in other major banks.

Stocks fell and the S&P 500 closed at a 12-year low on Friday, after the government said it will take a large stake in Citigroup's common shares, fanning fears it will increase its role in other major banks.

Stocks fell and the S&P 500 closed at a 12-year low on Friday, after the government said it will take a large stake in Citigroup's common shares, fanning fears it will increase its role in other major banks.

Stocks dipped on Friday as a move by the U.S. government to take a large stake in common shares of embattled Citigroup fanned fears it will take a bigger role in overseeing some troubled major banks.

Stocks briefly cut losses on Friday as investors scoured the market for beaten-down shares following the S&P 500's earlier drop to a 12-year low.

Stocks slid to a 12-year low on Friday as a move by the U.S. government to take a large common equity stake in embattled lender Citigroup sowed more uncertainty over the fate of major banks.

Stocks slid to a 12-year low on Friday as a move by the U.S. government to take a large common equity stake in embattled lender Citigroup sowed more uncertainty over the fate of major banks.

Stock index futures fell on Friday, weighed by a drop in financial shares following news that the U.S. government is taking a large common equity stake in embattled lender Citigroup .

Stock index futures turned lower on Friday on news the U.S. government is taking a large common equity stake in embattled lender Citigroup .

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average index fell 0.1 percent on Friday, gained 0.3 percent for the Nasdaq 100 and rose 0.1 percent for the S&P 500 share index, pointing to a mix open for Wall Street.

Americans hold a dim view of business executives, giving them poor grades for honesty and ethics and blaming them for business failures, according to a survey released on Thursday.

Americans hold a dim view of business executives, giving them poor grades for honesty and ethics and blaming them for business failures, according to a survey released on Thursday.

Stocks fell in volatile trade on Thursday as investors sold off shares of healthcare companies such as Merck & Co on worries that President Obama's budget proposal will strangle profits.

Stocks extended gains on Thursday even although a government report showed new home sales fell to a record low in January. Bank shares were a standout following news the Obama administration may request money to shore up banks. Shares of Citigroup rose 6 percent to $2.67 and Bank of America gained 11 percent to $5.73. The S&P Financial index climbed 4.9 ...