DOW JONES

Stocks rose about 2 percent on Friday, with major indexes on track to end the week higher as Italy's Senate approved economic reforms, easing investor concerns about the euro zone's debt crisis.

Stocks rose at the open on Friday as debt-laden Italy moved to implement tough austerity measures crucial to avoid a Eurozone meltdown.

Gold prices edged up Friday as a bump in sentiment about the Eurozone crisis encouraged a move into stocks and the continent's single currency.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.6 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.7 percent at 0924 GMT (4:24 a.m. ET).

U.S. oil and gas major Chevron Corp. said an oil leak off the coast of Brazil near its Frade field does not appear to be caused by the company's production activities in the area.

Gold prices fell Thursday, their third consecutive daily decline, as investors facing margin calls sold the yellow metal to raise cash.

Stocks edged up on Thursday, rebounding from Wednesday's steep losses, but trading was choppy as nervous investors reacted to headlines painting a mixed picture of Europe's debt crisis.

Chevron's Brazilian outfit working to plug an ocean-floor oil spill off Brazilian coast.

Stocks rebounded on Thursday, a day after the S&P 500 suffered its worst day since mid-August as Italian bond yields eased.

Stock index futures rose on Thursday, indicating the S&P 500 may bounce back from its worst day since mid-August as Italian bond yields eased.

Stock index futures pointed to a rebound on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 1.1 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.9 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 1 percent at 4:47 a.m. ET.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) registered another difficult day Tuesday, plunging 389 points to 11,781 on institutional investor concern that Italy will not be able to service its debt, and that one, and possibly more countries may leave the Eurozone. What's the prudent stance for the typical investor?

U.S. stocks plummeted Wednesday in a global stampede toward investments perceived as capable of withstanding a severe European downturn, or worse.

Gold prices slipped modestly Wednesday as stock investors in Europe and the U.S. dumped their holdings and abandoned the euro in a global stampede to safety.

Stocks tumbled 3 percent on Wednesday, erasing gains for the week so far, as a spike in Italian bond yields fanned worries about contagion in the European debt crisis.

Stocks slid more than 2 percent on Wednesday as a spike in Italian bond yields heightened fears the debt crisis in Europe was spreading.

Gold and silver mining company stocks rose Wednesday, defying a global downdraft in equities and underscoring the traditional role precious metals have as a safe haven for investors.

Global markets stampeded Wednesday after the bond market signaled that Europe's third-largest economy can no longer survive without a rescue.

The major European bourses are down anywhere from 2.0 percent to 2.6 percent.

Stocks dropped more than 2 percent in early trading on Wednesday as a spike in Italian bond yields prompted fears the region's debt crisis was spiraling.

After swallowing months of cost increases that have eaten into their bottom lines throughout 2011, the nation's largest restaurant chains are positioning themselves to dish out incremental price increases to patrons over the next couple of months.