IBT Staff Reporter

The new Michael Jackson record This Is It hits stores around the world on Monday, kicking off a week of money-spinning events dedicated to the king of pop, but the outlook for the two-disc album is decidedly mixed.

The lure of double-digit returns is feeding a rally in Europe's credit markets, opening up financing opportunities for hitherto unwanted companies - and signalling the market may be overheating.

A three-month moving average of a gauge of U.S. economic activity, though below its historical trend, has neared levels seen at the end of previous recessions, a Chicago Federal Reserve report said on Monday.

Health Care Waste; ING's Split; Rethinking the Movie Business

Pakistani forces detained 11 Iranian Revolutionary Guards on Monday for crossing into Pakistan days after an Iranian commander was reported saying his men should be allowed to confront terrorists in Pakistan.

First Marblehead Corp (FMD.N), one of the largest securitizers of student loans, posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, hurt by a six-fold increase in unrealized loss on education loans held for sale.

RadioShack Corp reported higher-than-expected revenue in the third quarter, and the electronics retailer's shares rose 4.7 percent in premarket trading.

Germany's centre-right coalition has chosen a bold economic recovery strategy starting with unfunded tax cuts that amount to a third stimulus programme and should be welcomed around Europe and in Washington.

HealthSouth Corp , the hospital operator that overhauled management after an 2003 accounting scandal, said on Monday that it would reimburse activist investors for costs to mount campaigns to install directors.

Verizon Communications Inc's third-quarter profit fell a less-than-expected 9 percent as it added more wireless customers than analysts had forecast.

The death toll from Sunday's two suicide bombs in Baghdad, one of Iraq's bloodiest attacks in years, has risen to 155 with more than 500 wounded, police said on Monday.

Verizon Communications on Monday posted a third quarter profit that fell more than 9 percent but was slightly ahead of analyst estimates and it added more wireless customers than expected.

President Hamid Karzai's rival in a November 7 run-off presidential vote demanded on Monday that Afghanistan's chief election official be sacked, laying out a ultimatum that could complicate the pre-election process.

U.S. fertilizer maker Mosaic Co (MOS.N) said on Monday it plans to return about $580 million to stockholders through a special cash dividend that will be financed using cash on hand.

U.S. stock index futures indicated a modestly higher open on Monday, after a sell-off in the previous session, as investors looked to a busy week of economic data and corporate earnings.

Intelligence agencies estimate that it would probably take Iran a minimum of 18 months to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to build one, Western diplomats and intelligence officials said.

Following is the prepared text of a speech Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney was giving in Montreal on Monday.

Health insurer Amerigroup Corp cut its third-quarter earnings outlook, citing elevated medical costs tied to the onset of a severe flu season due to the H1N1 virus, and withdrew its full-year outlook.

Two helicopter crashes in Afghanistan killed 11 U.S. soldiers and three U.S. civilians on Monday, NATO-led forces said in a statement.

Despite long lines and limited supplies of theH1N1 flu vaccine, U.S. efforts against the disease are not too late, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Monday.

U.S. economic activity weakened in September according to a Chicago Federal Reserve report on Monday, but a three-month moving average of the index, though below its historical trend, improved close to levels associated with the end of recessions.

In one of the largest stimulus awards to state housing agencies, the U.S. Treasury announced on Friday $284 million would go to California, bringing the nationwide total since May to $3.12 billion.

PrivateBancorp Inc (PVTB.O) posted a third-quarter loss, as weakness in commercial real estate forced the Chicago lender to almost triple its provision for bad loans, and said it would raise $175 million through a stock offering, sending its shares down 14 percent in pre-market trade.

European shares were little changed on Monday as a rise in pharma stocks offset weaker insurers, which were dragged down by ING (ING.AS), which fell after announcing its plan to split the company.

In a crowded ballroom next to a bankrupt casino, what remains of the Detroit property market was being picked over by speculators and mostly discarded.

News, details on corporate bond issues in the European markets on Monday:

European shares edged higher in early trade on Monday, with higher oils and pharmaceutical stocks outweighing weaker financials.

Britain's top shares edged up 0.2 percent by midday on Monday as energy firms and drugmakers gained ahead of third-quarter earnings this week, outpacing a decline in banks and life insurers.

Verizon Communications on Monday posted a third quarter profit that fell more than 9 percent but was slightly ahead of analyst estimates and it added more wireless customers than expected.