IBT Staff Reporter

Hasbro Inc reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Monday, boosted by demand for movie-related toys, although revenue fell short of expectations.

Brazilian bank Bradesco (BBDC4.SA)(BBD.N) said on Monday it reached a deal to take a 43.5 percent stake in local dental insurer OdontoPrev(ODPV3.SA) and share control of it with OdontoPrev's founder and chief executive.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, as the outlook for corporate earnings lifted investor optimism about the vitality of an economic recovery.

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

Germany has assured GM and the Opel Trust that its 4.5 billion euros ($6.70 billion) offer in financial aid for Opel is not tied to the choice of an investor or a plan, a European Commission spokesman said on Monday.

Peru's national federation of mining unions has started a two-day nationwide strike to pressure the government to change rules on labor benefits, although unions at several key mines had said they would not participate in the walkout.

Proposed and actual actions of the government to make banks public utilities will destroy the secular earnings growth of the industry, veteran banking analyst Richard Bove said.

Chief executives from the biggest U.S. corporations worry that the slumping dollar could sap U.S. credibility around the globe, spur inflation and ultimately undermine the economy.

Anil Kumar, charged with other executives over the biggest hedge fund insider-trading scheme, has sought leave from the board of a top Indian business school that he helped set up.

Gains in miners and energy firms pushed Britain's top shares 1.3 percent higher by midday on Monday, underpinned by firmer commodity prices, while investors awaited corporate earnings from the United States for further direction.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, as the outlook for corporate earnings lifted investor optimism about the vitality of an economic recovery.

The Bank of Canada is likely to play it safe when it outlines its policy stance this week, holding the line on interest rates and tinkering at the margins of its economic forecasts as it waits for firmer evidence that the recovery is for real.

European shares bounced back on Monday to hover near last week's 12-month highs, with banks, food producers and drugmakers leading the advance ahead of more earnings results from major companies such as Apple (AAPL.O).

Apple Inc is once again expected to top Wall Street's estimates when it unveils quarterly earnings today, but it may have to beat by a lot to drive an already lofty share price higher.

Where the Wild Things Are topped the North American box office, according to studio estimates on Sunday, a strong start for a film that, like its little boy hero, sailed into somewhat uncharted waters.

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

Britain's financial regulator plans to force mortgage lenders to check the income of all borrowers, scrapping so-called liar loans blamed for helping to fuel bad debt problems at the heart of the credit crunch.

A Chinese national accused of stealing trade secrets from Ford Motor Co was employed by Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp , China's fifth-biggest automaker, but was in the United States on personal leave when he was arrested, BAIC said Monday.

Creditors of Japan Airlines Corp have rejected the struggling carrier's restructuring plan and are pushing for a cut in debt waivers and details of the use of state funds, a source familiar with the matter said.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a rebound on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.46 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.26 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.52 percent at 3.30 a.m. EDT.

Asian shares hovered near 14-month highs on Monday, shaking off an early dip after disappointing earnings from U.S. corporate bellwethers such as General Electric Co spurred some investors to take profits.

Asian shares pulled further away from 14-month peaks on Monday after disappointing earnings from U.S. corporate bellwethers such as General Electric Co spurred some investors to take profits.

U.S. stocks could slip this week if the spate of earnings from bellwethers including Apple Inc and Caterpillar Inc do not live up to heightened expectations.

The financial crisis has spotlighted the importance of dealing with global imbalances in trade and capital flows, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Sunday at a Fed conference on Asia.

Tens of millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable, according to a new Symantec report on cybercrime.

Google Inc said more than 2 million businesses now use its online office software, and the Web search leader is going global on Monday with an advertising campaign to lure customers away from Microsoft Corp and IBM products.

Tens of millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable, according to a new Symantec report on cybercrime.

Verizon Communications is advertising new discounts on Monday for customers who sign up for four of its telecommunications services, as it looks to recoup market share from cable rivals in the holiday shopping season.

Just about every month -- if not every week -- a new study emerges touting the health benefits to be gained from a daily glass of wine or a pint of dark beer.