U.S. consumer spending fell in September after four months of gains as a government program to boost auto purchases ended, adding to fears that economic growth could stumble without government support.
World stocks crept higher on Friday, marginally extending gains that followed the United States' emergence from recession while the dollar steadied off the previous session's losses ahead of data that will add more fuel to the recovery debate.
Employment costs in the United States rose 0.4 percent in the third quarter, in line with Wall Street expectations, as the longest recession in decades continued to eat away at worker pay and benefits, Labor Department data showed on Friday.
Billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros said on Friday China will be the biggest winner of the global financial crisis while the United States stands to lose the most.
Simon Property Group Inc (SPG.N) reported higher-than-expected third-quarter funds from operations, partly on lower operating costs, and the company raised the low end of its forecast for the year.
U.S. government debt prices added small gains briefly on Friday after data showed personal spending fell and income posted no growth in September, supporting the view of a sluggish economic rebound.
U.S. commercial real estate lender iStar Financial Inc (SFI.N) reported a wider-than-expected third-quarter loss and said it was in compliance with all of its bank and bond covenants.
Apartment Investment and Management Co (AIV.N), one of the largest U.S. apartment landlords, said third-quarter funds from operations fell 69.5 percent on impairments and lower rents.
Britain's top share index looked set to end the month crawling into positive territory by midday on Friday as U.S. data from the previous session helped lift banks, offsetting weak commodities.
U.S. consumer spending fell in September for the first time in five months as the boost from a government auto incentive faded, data showed on Friday, adding to fears that consumers may be pulling back as they head into the last quarter of the year.
A year that started in gloom and doom could end in cheers for U.S. corporate profits and leave the stock market positioned for a strong start to 2010.
The Bahamian lawmaker who caused a mistrial in the John Travolta extortion case escaped a contempt of court citation on Thursday when the judge ruled that his public vilification was punishment enough.
European shares were little changed in midmorning trade on Friday after sharp gains in the previous session on data showing the U.S. had emerged from recession, with firmer banks offsetting weaker energy stocks.
U.S. stock index futures dipped on Friday, a day after the market logged its best percentage gain in three months, as investors await data that will shed light on consumer sentiment.
In a year when many film festivals sharply cut operations or closed due to the recession, the large AFI Film Festival that gets under way here on Friday has found a novel way to stay open -- give tickets away for free.
U.S. stock index futures dipped on Friday, a day after the market logged its best percentage gain in three months, as investors await data that will shed light on consumer sentiment.
NYSE Euronext said on Friday it is selling a significant equity interest in its derivatives exchange NYSE Liffe U.S., as it posted a 28-percent drop in third-quarter earnings.
U.S. stock index futures dipped on Friday, a day after the market logging its best percentage gain in three months, as investors await data that will shed light on consumer sentiment.
Sanofi-Aventis raised its outlook for 2009 thanks to sales of swine flu vaccine and posted earnings per share growth that beat forecasts as competition from generics was offset by revenue growth for other drugs.
U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wall Street on Friday following the previous session's sharp rally, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.35 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.17 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.09 percent at 6:10 a.m. EDT.
World stocks crept higher on Friday, extending gains following the United States' jump out of recession, while the dollar drifted ahead of more U.S. data that will add fuel to the recovery debate.
Asian stocks bounced back on Friday from their worst drop in two months, with investors taking heart from the United States' return to economic growth, which gave reassurance on the recovery's staying power.
