S&P

Experts speculate that the country, with ithe biggest reserves in Africa, can return to normal production by the second quarter of next year.

Jim O'Neill, chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, is optimistic about the U.S. economy, according an interview he had with CNBC TV.

Lower textbook sales and impact of weak credit markets on its S&P rating business weigh down on McGraw-Hill earnings. The company plans to cut at least $100 million in costs over next 15 months.

U.S. stocks closed decidedly in the negative territory on Wednesday as high expectations regarding the Eurozone bailout were dimmed.

Gold mining stocks plummeted Wednesday even though the price of the metal slipped only a bit and the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500, declined modestly.

Many factors are converging to create additional risk for owners of California nuclear plants during the relicensing process, according to an article published today on RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal. The Ground Shaking Reality For California's Nuclear Power notes that, in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, California is likely to carefully evaluate relicensing its two nuclear power plants.

S&P indicated that due to the higher yields on Italian sovereign government debt, the financial costs for Italian banks will rise appreciably.

Many factors are converging to create additional risk for owners of California nuclear plants during the relicensing process, according to an article published today on RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal. The Ground Shaking Reality For California's Nuclear Power notes that, in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, California is likely to carefully evaluate relicensing its two nuclear power plants.

The BSE Sensex fell more than 1.5 percent on Tuesday, dragged down by IT stocks after Tata Consultancy Services reported lower-than-expected quarterly earnings and said the outlook for pricing was tough.

Disappointment out of Europe over the weekend ended the recent rally of U.S. stocks and other global risk assets.

U.S. stocks and global risk assets plunged on Monday as German officials dashed the heightened expectations of investors.

The credit agency’s downgrade of Spain follows a similar cut by Fitch Ratings last week.

Gold prices ticked up Friday as market sentiment swung back towards risk and away from safety, but there was little evidence the yellow metal was ready to break out of recent trading limits.

More good news out of Europe continues to provide the fuel to drive the current risk-asset rally.

U.S. stocks and other global risk assets traded higher on Wednesday on more good news out of Europe.

Days before third quarter earnings season began on Tuesday with Alcoa’s (NYSE:AA) earnings report, many analysts were optimistic because expectations have been set so low.

Slovakia, one of the smallest members of the Eurozone, has the Eurozone waiting and global investors sweating.

U.S. stock futures are slightly down as investors await the results of a key Eurozone vote and Alcoa’s (NYSE:AA) earnings report.

Gold prices booked two gains in a row Thursday and silver surged after the European Central Bank and Britain's central bank acted to protect the continent's staggering banks.

Gold prices rose nearly 1 percent Thursday on strong physical buying from Europe and Asia and diminished selling pressure that had arisen from the need to cover stock market losses.

From its May 2011 high, the index is down about 19 percent, very close to the 20 percent decline required for a bear market.