DEUTSCHE BANK

European stock markets opened with gains Thursday as expectations mounted that the Greece bailout deal would be reached at the EU finance ministers' meeting Monday.

Prompted by a delay in a big trade of a popular exchange-traded fund, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is taking a closer look at a possible connection between high-frequency traders and hedge funds jumping in and out of ETFs, among other areas, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Moody's Investors Service placed 114 financial firms , as well as 17 banks and securities firms with global capital markets operations, under ratings review due to the ongoing Eurozone crisis.

Moody's warned on Thursday it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the eurozone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system.

Moody's Investor Service warned Thursday it could downgrade the credit ratings of 17 global banks and securities firms due to more fragile funding conditions, increased regulatory burdens and a more difficult operating environment.

The Occupy movement has moved beyond pickets and protests with a group called Occupy the SEC, which has submitted a 325-page letter on the proposed Volcker Rule.

Citigroup Inc has agreed to pay $158.3 million to settle U.S. civil claims that it defrauded the government into insuring thousands of risky home loans made by its CitiMortgage unit.

The 17 member nations of the euro common currency union, dragged down by the flagging economies of Greece, Portugal, Spain and Ireland, saw factory activity decrease more than expected in December, the statistical office of the European Union announced Tuesday.

A few months ago economists were all but certain the U.S. economy would slow sharply at the start of this year, with many warning that recession risks were growing.

According to Dow Jones' World Solar Energy index, solar stocks rallied this month, up 17 percent on indications of rising demand for solar panels, particularly in China, and price stabilization.

Trading in shares of Alibaba.com Ltd was halted on Thursday pending an announcement regarding its parent, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, which reportedly plans to buy back the 40 percent stake in it held by Yahoo Inc.

A few months ago economists were all but certain the U.S. economy would slow sharply at the start of this year, with many warning that recession risks were growing.

South African mining company Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (JNB:IMP) fired 17,200 workers earlier this week following an illegal strike at its Rustenburg mine.

Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Friday for the first time in four days ahead of U.S. jobs data, though Sony Corp (6758.T) soared as investors hoped a new CEO would turn things around after it forecast a $2.9 billion annual loss.

Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Friday for the first time in four days ahead of U.S. jobs data, though Sony Corp (6758.T) soared as investors hoped a new CEO would turn things around after it forecast a $2.9 billion annual loss.

European shares steadied after hitting a six-month high on Thursday as strong gains in miners on merger talks between Xstrata (XTA.L) and Glencore (GLEN.L) were offset by a sell-off in defensives, with Unilever (ULVR.L) down on poor outlook.

Eurozone finance ministers aim to agree a second financing package for Greece on Monday, a decision they hope will boost market confidence in euro zone public finances and help contain the two-year-old sovereign debt crisis.

Stocks tumbled in early trading on Monday as concerns grew about the state of Europe's finances as Greece and Germany sparred over budget measures for Athens.

Stock index futures pointed to a weak open on Monday as concerns grew about the state of Europe's finances as Greece and Germany sparred over budget measures for Athens.

Stock index futures fell on Monday as concerns grew about the state of Europe's finances as Greece and Germany sparred over budget measures for Athens.

A tumultuous 12 months that saw revolutions in the Middle East, a worsening debt crisis in Europe and a tsunami in Japan has set the tone for corporate activity in 2012.