UNITED STATES

Investors are becoming increasingly confident in holding equities as U.S. markets continue to make new yearly highs heading into the final months of 2009, according to a client survey by Citigroup.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday in a broad-based rally after corporate results fed growing optimism the accelerating earnings season will be strong.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned on Monday that pursuit of export-led growth by Asian nations could lead to a reemergence of global trade imbalances and undercut efforts to achieve more durable growth.

A common antidepressant combined with an intensive treadmill training program helped people with partial spinal cord injuries walk better and faster, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.

U.S. regulators have asked for more information on dosing proposed for a drug from Novartis AG for smoker's lung, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the Swiss group said on Monday.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned on Monday that Asian policies promoting exports could lead to a reemergence of imbalances in trade and capital flows, which some believe helped fuel the U.S. housing bubble.

New U.S. housing construction data to be released tomorrow is expected to show more new work in September compared to the previous month, despite lower levels compared to the same period last year.

Gannett Co Inc, the largest U.S. newspaper publisher, reported a lower quarterly profit that beat market forecasts on Monday because of cost cuts, while revenue fell because of a 28 percent drop in publishing advertising sales.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday, buoyed by investor optimism over the strength of earnings season at the beginning of a busy week for corporate results.

BB&T Corp said on Monday third-quarter profit fell 56 percent as continuing credit issues weighed on results.

Hu shuli, the chief editor of Caijing, Chinese most influential magazine, may resign to launch a new venture after journal's Daphne Wu Chuanhui and nearly 70 employees, or more than two-thirds of the business department, had resigned.

Gannett Co Inc, the largest U.S. newspaper publisher, reported a lower quarterly profit on Monday and revenue fell because of a 28 percent drop in publishing advertising sales.

China plans to move 15,000 residents in its biggest lead smelting area away from the plants in order to allow them to keep operating, after tests showed over 1,000 children had excessive lead in their blood.

Sprint Nextel Corp plans to buy wireless affiliate iPCS Inc for about $426 million excluding debt, and the two companies have agreed suspend all litigation between them.

Pakistani forces backed by artillery attacked Taliban insurgents on Monday as the army moved to wrest control of militant strongholds in a lawless region on the Afghan border.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday unveiled a new strategy toward Sudan, offering incentives if the Khartoum government worked toward peace, but said it faced tougher steps if it failed to act.

U.S. stocks were little changed on Monday, as investors digested a new batch of corporate earnings for signals about the potency of an economic recovery.

Expected strong quarterly earnings at Credit Suisse and a return to profit at Morgan Stanley will set the pace for the global wealth management sector as consolidation among private banks heats up.

The dollar remained near a 14-month low against the euro on Monday as investors bet the Federal Reserve will hold U.S. interest rates near zero well into next year. The euro traded within half a cent of $1.50, a level not seen since August 2008, though analysts said investors would be on alert for any comments about excessive euro strength from a euro zone finance ministers' meeting later in the day.

A Sri Lankan-born billionaire's arrest in the largest U.S. hedge fund insider trading case triggered new scrutiny on Monday in his native country over the possibility his money found its way to the Tamil Tiger rebels.

American Express Co will keep its 0.19 percent stake in China's largest bank, ICBC, after the lock-up period on the shares expires on Tuesday, the credit card company said.