BARCLAYS

The majority of real estate investment trusts (REITs) are expected to post positive earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 as rent growth continues, according to analysts.

Investors in Apple Inc. have a one-word answer for those who wonder whether this corporate juggernaut can maintain its phenomenal momentum in the years ahead: Asia.

Treasury debt prices rose on Thursday, and five-year note yields dipped to the lowest level since at least the 1960s, a day after the Federal Reserve said it will likely hold interest rates near zero at least through late 2014.

The broad asset rally which the U.S. Federal Reserve inspired by pledging to keep rates low decelerated on Friday as investors awaited the outcome of Greek debt talks and U.S. gross domestic product data. Asian stocks paused.

Investors in Apple Inc. have a one-word answer for those who wonder whether this corporate juggernaut can maintain its phenomenal momentum in the years ahead: Asia.

Ford Motor Co is poised to report its biggest annual profit in 13 years on Friday after an accounting change that signals the No. 2 U.S. automaker's belief it can remain profitable.

A broad asset rally inspired by the U.S. Federal Reserve's pledge to keep rates low paused Friday, as investors sought to gauge how sustainable the burst of optimism will be while waiting for the outcome of crucial Greek debt talks.

The next generation Apple tablet, dubbed iPad 3, is expected to surface in late February/early March, bringing to a closure the growing rumors about its features and release date. Ever since iPad 2 was unveiled in February last year, Apple fans have been closely watching every move of the tech giant with the hope that they get some hint about the release date and specs of iPad 2's successor.

Apple Inc. has a high-quality balance sheet with net cash of $97.6 billion or $103.6 per share at the end of fiscal first quarter. Investors look puzzled regarding what Apple intends to do with its cash hoard.

World stocks and the euro suffered on Wednesday as uncertainty about Greece's debt talks overshadowed strong economic data from Germany, blow-out earnings from Apple, and expectations that the Federal Reserve will push back the timing of an eventual rate hike.

HSBC Holdings PLC is under investigation by a U.S. Senate panel in a money-laundering inquiry, the latest step in a long-running U.S. effort to halt shadowy money flows through global banks, according to people familiar with the situation and a company securities filing.

ConocoPhillips, the third largest energy company in the U.S., is expected to post higher fourth-quarter earnings as soaring crude oil prices offset big losses anticipated in the company's refining operations.

United Technologies Corp., manufacturer of jet engines, elevators, and products for the aerospace and building sectors, is expected to report another sizeable profit growth for the fourth straight quarter. But the company and analysts expect a step back in 2012.

Shares of wireless developer InterDigital plunged more than 20 percent Tuesday after the company announced an end to a six-month auction. Has the gold rush in IP ended?

The estate of Lehman Brothers paid $1.33 billion to become majority owner of Archstone, a multifamily landlord of more than 70,000 U.S. apartments, successfully blocking a rival bidder.

The launch of the iBooks 2 app further substantiates expectations that Apple may put a quad-core chipset in the iPad 3, which is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2012.

Intel Corp will promote 20-year company veteran and manufacturing expert Brian Krzanich to the post of chief operating officer, making him a frontrunner to one day replace Paul Otellini as chief executive.

Europe's telecom shares have long been seen as safe houses when the wolf is at the door, but recession, fierce competition and costly network upgrades are huffing and puffing at their capacity to pay generous dividends.

Schlumberger Ltd (SLB.N), the world's largest oilfield services company, reported a 36 percent rise in quarterly earnings, beating Wall Street forecasts, but it warned that Europe's debt crisis could hurt economic growth and trim oil demand.

Apple Inc. unveiled two new educational opportunities, including iBooks 2 for iPad and an all new iTunes U app, at a press event in New York Thursday.

The top aftermarket NYSE gainers on Wednesday were: Radioshack Corp, Bridgepoint Education, Webster Financial, Kosmos Energy, Beam Inc, Chico's FAS, Joy Global, Seacor Holdings, Dana Holding and Saks Inc.