EQUITIES

Stock index futures pointed to sharp gains at the open on Monday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested the central bank would continue supportive monetary policies even as the unemployment rate improves.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, pointing to an equities rebound after the S&P's worst weekly performance so far this year, as investors looked ahead to data on February pending home sales.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.14 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.21 percent at 0813 GMT.

European shares clawed back some gains from last week's losses on Monday and the euro backed off three-week highs as investors traded cautiously ahead of key data this week's including an Italian bond auction and a key German economic sentiment index.

Portfolio managers will be doing some last-minute shopping for winners from the big stock market rally as they take part next week in the quarter-end ritual of window dressing.

Asian shares edged up on Monday, finding some support after losing ground last week on fears of the impact of an economic slowdown in China, and the euro held near a three-week high.

Congressional investigators released details of emails from just before MF Global's bankruptcy that renew questions about whether anyone at the failed brokerage authorized the use of customer funds to cover an overdraft in London.

Portfolio managers will be doing some last-minute shopping for winners from the big stock market rally as they take part next week in the quarter-end ritual of window dressing.

Former MF Global official Edith O'Brien said in an October 2011 email that CEO Jon Corzine gave direct instructions to transfer $200 million from a customer account to cover an overdraft in a JPMorgan account in London, according to a congressional memo released on Friday.

Exchange operator BATS Global Markets Inc , whose shares traded briefly on Friday before being halted due to technical glitches, said it is withdrawing its initial public offering.

Stocks rose in light volume on Friday, boosted by rising energy and basic materials shares, and the S&P 500 continued to show resilience even as it posted its second negative week so far this year.

Stocks edged lower on Friday, keeping the S&P 500 on track for its first weekly decline in six weeks as housing-related stocks fell after data showed a drop in single-family home sales.

Stocks opened flat on Friday, though the S&P 500 was on track to end a five-week winning streak after equities suffered their worst percentage drop in two weeks in the previous session.

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Friday after equities suffered their worst percentage drop in two weeks, with the S&P 500 on track for its first decline in the past six weeks.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.1 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.1 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures 0.4 percent higher at 1040 GMT.

Cyclical sectors led stocks lower on Thursday, setting the S&P 500 up for its first negative week in six, after factory data showed a slowdown in both the euro zone and China.

The chief lobbyist for the largest U.S. financial institutions will step down at the end of 2012, after more than a decade of waging regulatory battles, a trade group said on Thursday.

The Dow and the S&P 500 fell for a third straight day on Thursday on concerns about the global economy's growth outlook after manufacturing data showed a drop in new orders in both the euro zone and China.

Wall Street fell for a third straight day on Thursday after continued contraction in manufacturing in both the euro zone and China fueled worries about the global economy.

NYSE Euronext said on Thursday it would not join Deutsche Boerse in appealing the European Commission's decision to prohibit the $7.4 billion merger between the two exchange operators.

Stocks fell at the open on Thursday as data on the U.S. labor market did little to counter concerns about weakness in the global economy after soft manufacturing data in the euro zone and China.

Stocks were set for a weaker open on Thursday as data on the domestic labor market did little to counter concerns about weakness in the global economy after soft manufacturing data in the euro zone and China.

Stock index futures briefly extended their losses on Thursday after the latest reading on jobless claims.

Stock index futures fell on Thursday after manufacturing data in the euro zone and China increased worry about a slowing global economy.

Stock index futures fell on Thursday after manufacturing data in the euro zone and China increased worry about a slowing global economy.

Stocks mostly fell on Wednesday, weighed by the energy services sector, but gains in technology shares buoyed the Nasdaq and helped keep the S&P 500 near four-year highs.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 21 - Hewlett Packard Co will merge its printer and PC businesses, combining two of its largest divisions as Chief Executive Meg Whitman tries to jumpstart growth at the technology company.

Stocks struggled on Wednesday to rise above recent highs, hampered by losses in risk-associated sectors like energy and financials.

Stocks struggled on Wednesday to rise above recent highs, hampered by losses in risk-associated sectors like energy and financials.