IBT Staff Reporter

The S&P 500 edged higher on Friday in its best week in three months as two slightly softer economic reports, although capping gains, were unable to shake the optimism over the economy that has helped drive stocks to near four-year highs.

The S&P 500 extended its run in its best week in three months on Friday as a pair of slightly softer economic reports, although capping gains, were unable to shake the optimism over the U.S. economy that has helped drive stocks to near four-year highs.

Oracle Corp may soon run out of excuses to feed Wall Street.

Consumer prices rose the most in 10 months in February as the cost of gasoline spiked, but there was little sign that underlying inflation pressures were building up.

Stocks were flat on Friday as data showed inflation remained in check last month as the domestic economy continues to improve, but consumer sentiment slipped.

Stocks pared early gains to briefly trade negative on Friday after data showed consumer sentiment fell in March.

Greg Smith resignation letter describing toxic atmosphere at investment bank undermines goodwill.

British politicians visiting Wall Street would once have been only too happy to have their photograph taken with the head of Goldman Sachs. This week in New York, Prime Minister David Cameron met Goldman Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein and other bankers in private.

The euro zone may raise the combined lending power of its bailout funds to close to 700 billion euros from 500 billion in a trade-off between German opposition to committing more money and calming markets, euro zone officials said.

Consumer prices rose by the most in 10 months in February as the cost of gasoline spiked, but there was little sign that underlying inflation pressures were building up.

Stocks were set for a modestly higher open on Friday as data showed inflation remained in check as the domestic economy continues to improve.

Industrial production was unchanged in February as a sharp drop in mining output offset a third straight monthly gain in factory production, the Federal Reserve said on Friday.

Consumer prices rose by the most in 10 months in February as the cost of gasoline spiked, but there was little sign that underlying inflation pressures were building up.

The board of RUSAL Plc <0486.HK>, the world's largest aluminum company, has elected Barry Cheung of the Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange as its new chairman after billionaire Viktor Vekselberg quit this week, the company said on Friday.

EBay Inc's unit PayPal is expanding its domestic electronics payments presence in Asia with plans to tap China and India, the region's biggest consumer markets, a senior executive said on Friday.

Stock index futures edged higher on Friday ahead of data on consumer sentiment and after the benchmark S&P 500 index closed above 1,400 for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis.

The Icelandic government said on Thursday it would repay early a fifth of the billions of dollars of loans it received from the International Monetary fund and its Nordic neighbors in the wake of the collapse of its banking sector in 2008.

The board of RUSAL Plc <0486.HK>, the world's largest aluminum company, has elected Barry Cheung of the Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange as its new chairman after billionaire Viktor Vekselberg quit this week, a source close to a shareholder said on Friday.

Stock index futures were little changed on Friday ahead of data on consumer sentiment and after the benchmark S&P 500 index closed above 1,400 for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis.

Vivendi's Universal Music is not expected to offer concessions to EU antitrust regulators assessing its bid for EMI's recorded music unit, a person familiar with the matter said, a move that would trigger a lengthy investigation of the deal.

Vivendi's Universal Music is not expected to offer concessions to EU antitrust regulators assessing its bid for EMI's recorded music unit, a person familiar with the matter said, a move that will trigger a lengthy investigation of the deal.

Australia's main iron ore terminals, which are among the largest in the world, were closed on Friday as a cyclone in the Indian Ocean swept toward the Pilbara iron ore mining belt coast.

European stocks hit their highest level since July on Friday, keeping the benchmark global equity index near a 7-1/2 month peak, while crude oil rebounded as this week's robust economic data from both sides of the Atlantic attracted investors to risky assets.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat open for equities on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 staying almost unchanged.

Living in one of the world's most heavily censored societies, Wang Yong enjoys anonymously venting his daily frustrations, 140 characters at a time, via China's version of Twitter, but new government restrictions are making him think twice.

A German court suspended a trial in which Apple alleged that Samsung Electronics copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices pending the outcome of a separate suit.

World stocks held near the previous day's 7-1/2 month high on Friday and crude oil rebounded, sticking with a rally in riskier markets this week due to robust economic data from both sides of the Atlantic.

United Parcel Service said it was in constructive talks to buy Dutch rival TNT Express and reiterated its intention to make an offer, having last month proposed a 9 euros per share deal worth 4.9 billion euros ($6.4 billion).

Several banks including Goldman Sachs have shown an interest in buying American International Group Inc's complex and troubled assets tied to the insurer's bailout, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.