DOW JONES

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at the highest level since December 2007, lifted by a better-than-expected national manufacturing report that provided a welcome relief from a slew of disappointing regional manufacturing measures.

The news of the day centered on a better-than-expected U.S. manufacturing report for April, which sent ripples across the markets, boosting stocks as investors moved away from bonds and giving a bump to the dollar and crude oil. Investors are hoping this good news will be matched in Friday?s April U.S. jobs report.

Business at U.S. manufacturers expanded in April at the fastest pace in 10 months that topped economists' expectation, according to a closely watched survey of the sector released Tuesday.

Futures on major US stock indices point to a lower opening Tuesday ahead of economic data, which include ISM manufacturing index.

U.S. stocks ended the last day of April on a sour note with all three major indices posting their first monthly loss of the year, following three months of solid gains. Investors were spooked by a duo of lackluster U.S. economic reports and news that confirmed Spain has plunged into a double-dip recession.

Mergers and acquisitions are on the upstream as low interest rates, rising business and consumer confidence plus depressed prices for some assets have companies seeking buys that will allow them to expand or cut costs through synergy.

Americans spent their hard-earned money a bit more cautiously in March while personal income rose by the most in three months, according to government data released Monday.

Futures on major US stock indices point to a lower opening Monday ahead of economic data including core PCE price index and Chicago PMI.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a steady open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the Nasdaq 100, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones staying flat.

Stocks rose modestly on Friday, putting equities on track for a fourth day of gains as more strong earnings partially offset a weaker-than-expected reading on economic growth.

Stocks edged higher on Friday, again driven by strong corporate earnings that partially offset a weaker-than-expected reading on economic growth, extending three days of gains.

Stocks opened higher on Friday, putting Wall Street on track for a fourth day of gains as Amazon Inc. rallied after strong quarterly results.

Stocks were on track for a fourth day of gains on Friday, with Amazon the latest company to extend an earnings-driven rally that has erased most of April's losses and left investors eyeing a return to a new recovery high.

Stock euphoria over Amazon.com's (Nasdaq: AMZN) first-quarter earnings surprise sent shares of the No. 1 e-retailer soaring, triggering a big rise in the Nasdaq and other averages that eased slightly by midday.

The U.S. economy expanded at a slower-than-expected pace in the first quarter, reflecting a deceleration in inventories and nonresidential fixed investment that was partly offset by the biggest gain in consumer spending in more than a year.

Stocks eyed a fourth day of gains on Friday, with Amazon the latest company to extend an earnings-driven rally that has wiped out much of the market's losses for April.

Futures on major US stock indices remained range-bound Friday ahead of the release of the economic data, which include key GDP figures.

Stocks advanced in choppy trade on Thursday as another batch of positive earnings and a strong housing report put equities on track for a third straight day of gains.

More Americans than expected filed for jobless benefits last week, adding to a recent batch of soft economic data, stoking fresh concerns about the recovery's strength.

Brazilian oil company Petrobras said Wednesday it will focus on investing in and developing its domestic energy sources rather than immediately invest more in concessions in Argentina.

Palladium prices are bouncing back from a big decline that started in February in what could be a sign of rising investor confidence in the U.S. recovery, thanks to rising auto sales, and concerns over Russian supplies.