NEW YORK CITY

Financial services firm Northern Trust Corp. (NASDAQ: NTRS) posted a 15 percent gain in its first-quarter net income on record trust, investment and other servicing fees the firm said Tuesday.

Shares of Mobius Management Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: MOBI) jumped on Thursday after it agreed to be acquired by Allen Systems Group, Inc. an enterprise software provider.

Steel maker Ipsco Inc.(NYSE: IPS), the second largest U.S. steel pipe maker for energy explorers, confirmed on Thursday that it is currently in discussions that could lead to a potential acquisition of the company.

Shares of medical laser company Biolase Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: BLTI) tumbled on Wednesday after the company made a preliminary announcement of a first quarter loss.

Shares of NetLogic Microsystems (NASDAQ: NETL)rallied Monday as the semiconductor company raised its first quarter revenue outlook and said that its chief financial officer will be stepping down.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Encorium Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENCO) said on Thursday that it received a number of new contracts, with an aggregate value of $4.7 billion.

Xerox Corp. (NYSE: XRS) announced on Monday that it would buy Global Imaging Systems (Nasdaq: GISX), sending shares of the Tampa-based company skyrocketing.

Shares in logistics firm UTi Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: UTIW) tumbled Thursday after the logistics firm reported that it’s earnings four the fiscal fourth quarter were short of expectations.

Software giant Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) is reportedly in talks to buy online advertising firm, DoubleClick Inc., according to the Wall Street Journal.

Shares of Internet telephony company Vonage Holdings Group (NASDAQ: VG) tumbled this morning following a downgrade from Citigroup.

Shares of heart Biosite Inc. (Nasdaq: BSTE) skyrocketed more than 50 percent on Monday after biomedical lab instrument maker Beckman Coulter Inc. (NYSE: BEC) said it would acquire the firm for $1.55 billion.

Internet telephony company Vonage Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: VG) issued a statement on Monday declaring its confidence that it will prevail in its appeal against an injunction issued last week.

Shares of RealNetworks (NASDAQ: RNWK) plummeted Thursday, following disappointing 2007 guidance announced with its fourth quarter earnings.

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) is getting out of the baseball business and, as of Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves' new owner is Liberty Media Corp (NASDAQ: LCAPA), according to reports.

The chief executives leading the world's two largest stock markets - the New York Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange - shook hands high above the NYSE trading floor before the opening bell on Wednesday, after announcing that the groups will create an alliance that sets the stage for a possible merger or acquisition.

SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE: SLG) had consented on Thursday to Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (NYSE: RA) declaring an additional dividend totalling $25 million.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) board unanimously rejected a $5.1 billion buyout bid by the Nasdaq (NADQ) exchange on Monday. LSE rejected the offer, saying it fails to recognise the value of the exchange. Nasdaq failed in an earlier attempt this year to take over the company.

Shares of financial services companies fell slightly on Tuesday during noon trading following the release of third quarter earnings reports.

Pan-European exchange operator Euronext on Monday denied it planned to postpone an extraordinary general meeting set for December, at which its shareholders are due to vote on a $10 billion plan to merge with NYSE Group .

American Express, the travel services and credit card company, reported second quarter earnings that surpassed Wall Street expectations citing strong credit card spending.

Leading UK shares closed higher on Friday but finished the week with a moderate loss as the market's recent choppy trading pattern, sparked by inflation and interest rate jitters, persisted.