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Stock index futures rose on Thursday, adding to gains from the previous session when the Federal Reserve boosted equities by saying it was likely to keep interest rates near zero until at least late 2014.

The companies expected to see active trade Thursday are: AT&T, Caterpillar, Netflix, Starbucks Corp, Colgate-Palmolive, SanDisk Corp, 3M, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lockheed Martin, EQT Corp and Juniper Networks.

Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, is expected to beat Wall Street's consensus profit estimates in the fourth quarter due to a rebound in domestic markets and consumers' need to replace their dated fleet.

General Electric Co's (GE.N) fourth-quarter revenue fell short of Wall Street expectations because of slower-than-expected growth in Europe, sending its shares down 2.5 percent in premarket trading.

Stocks advanced on Tuesday but sharply pared gains late in the session after Citigroup's steep drop in profit gave investors a reason to unload bank shares.

Caterpillar Inc's Electro-Motive unit has decided to lock out locomotive manufacturing workers in London, Ontario, after finding out the Canadian Auto Workers told members not to strike following the breakdown of contract negotiations.

Caterpillar Inc is unilaterally implementing lower wage and benefit terms for locomotive manufacturing workers in London, Ontario after Canadian Auto Workers negotiations failed in the days leading up to a contract expiration.

Members of the Canadian Auto Workers union overwhelmingly voted in favor of staging a strike against Caterpillar Inc at an Ontario locomotive factory should the company implement unilateral changes to existing employment terms.

The head of the Canadian Auto Workers union is looking for a green light from members to potentially strike Caterpillar over a contract dispute in London, Ontario.

To be sure, it's not a U.S. stock market for rookies, or the squeamish -- it's a market that also can bring out the reactive in even the most experienced investor. Hence with the above in mind, here are 5 time-tested axioms that every investor should keep close by.

Caterpillar Inc said its machine sales rose 30 percent in November compared with a year earlier as growth continued at the pace seen in September and October.

On a quiet stretch of the waterfront here, about a mile from Boston's main tourist sites, a Gillette factory hums along 24 hours a day making an unlikely commodity: top-of-the-line razors.

It's a city nestled into the cracks of danger -- a community curled up at the foot of beautiful yet perilous mountain peaks. But with all its natural threats, this South American jewel is beloved to those who inhabit it.

Kenneth Kies sizes up the chances of reforming the convoluted U.S. tax code like someone who has lived through it before. In fact, he has.

Yarsagumba has been hailed as the “Himalayan Viagra.”

Below are quotes from leaders of Pacific Rim countries and business executives attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Saturday.

After the announced drawdown of troops from the Middle East, the Eurozone crisis, and a G-20 summit that lacked spectacular developments, the Obama administration is hoping enhanced economic ties with the Pacific Rim will open a fruitful venue for enduring growth.

Pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia could bolster certain sectors of the American economy, particularly manufacturing and agriculture, but a likely influx of foreign products could undercut U.S. businesses.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.6 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.7 percent at 0924 GMT (4:24 a.m. ET).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) registered another difficult day Tuesday, plunging 389 points to 11,781 on institutional investor concern that Italy will not be able to service its debt, and that one, and possibly more countries may leave the Eurozone. What's the prudent stance for the typical investor?

Caterpillar Inc said Monday it plans to add 100 to 150 jobs in central California in late 2012 when it opens another parts depot as part of its ongoing expansion its distribution business.

3M Co's quarterly earnings fell well short of expectations due to weakness in the electronics market, the debt crisis in Europe and inventory-reduction moves by its customers, sending the company's shares down 6 percent in early trading.

Stock index futures rose on Tuesday, supported by strong earnings from blue chip companies.

Stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.03 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.1 percent at 0925 GMT (5:25 a.m. EDT).

U.S. stocks jumped on Monday as investors remained optimistic about the upcoming Eurozone bailout and U.S. corporate earnings came in better than expected.

Stocks rose on Monday, as a flurry of merger activity and strong earnings from Caterpillar boosted investor sentiment and kept the three-week rally intact.

Caterpillar Inc muscled through murky economic conditions with a surprising 44 percent jump in quarterly profit, and forecast strong demand through next year in a sign of optimism for the global economy.

Caterpillar Inc far exceeded analyst expectations on Monday, reporting a 44 percent quarterly earnings increase due to record revenue, and the company signaled optimism in its 2012 outlook.

Stocks rose on Monday, adding to three weeks of gains by the S&P 500, after strong earnings from Caterpillar and some proposed acquisitions boosted investor sentiment.