UNITED STATES

U.S. consumer confidence fell to its lowest in four months in August on worries over high unemployment and dismal personal finances, though the mood managed to improve from earlier this month, a survey showed on Friday.

U.S. consumer spending edged up in July, lifted by the government's cash-for-clunkers program that fueled demand for autos, offering hope a rise in consumption will help fuel an economic recovery.

Wall Street was set to open sharply higher on Friday after an improved revenue forecast from Intel Corp and better-than expected quarterly profit from Dell Inc boosted the technology sector and consumer spending rose in July.

Aug 28 - Specialty pharmaceutical company Eurand NV (EURX.O) said U.S. health regulators approved its pancreatic enzyme product, Zenpep, to treat the inability to digest food due to a lack of enzymes made by the pancreas

* Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average DJc1, the S&P 500 SPc1 and the Nasdaq 100 NDc1 stock indexes are up from 0.2 to 0.4 percent, pointing to a higher start when the U.S. markets open on Friday.

WASHINGTON - U.S. drug reviewers questioned a Genzyme Corp (GENZ.O) study meant to back wider use of the company's Clolar leukemia drug, according to documents released on Friday ahead of an advisory panel review.

Tiffany & Co reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on cost cuts, and the retailer raised its full-year outlook as demand for jewelry increased, sending its shares up more than 7 percent.

NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures rose on Friday after a better-than expected quarterly performance from computer maker Dell Inc (DELL.O) boosted the technology sector ahead of key U.S. consumer data.

A debate is emerging over how curbs on energy market speculation may impact oil prices, with at least one major bank boldly expecting the new rules will trigger a 30-percent price plunge.

Stock futures rose on Friday after a better-than expected quarterly performance from computer maker Dell Inc boosted the technology sector ahead of key U.S. consumer data.

Japanese core consumer prices fell at the fastest annual pace on record in July, potentially putting pressure on a reluctant Bank of Japan to rein in deepening deflation.

Stock futures rose on Friday fueled by higher oil prices and a better-than expected quarterly performance by computer maker Dell Inc .

Major credit rating companies hold diverging views on the state of the U.S. junk bond market in 2010.

Oil rose above $73 a barrel on Friday, lifted by slightly better GDP and jobs data out of the United States, although still rangebound over the week.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 stock indexes are up from 0.2 to 0.4 percent, pointing to a higher start when the U.S. markets open on Friday.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 stock indexes are up from 0.2 to 0.4 percent, pointing to a higher start when the U.S. markets open on Friday.

A surge in auto sales as drivers rushed to take advantage of the cash-for-clunkers scheme probably nudged U.S. consumer spending higher for the third straight month in July, according to a Reuters poll.

Getting better access to information on derivative transactions was a critical factor in U.S. regulators' efforts to curb market abuses, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro told Bloomberg in an interview.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her government is committed to its negotiating stance over carmaker Opel, which has strongly favored auto parts maker Magna's bid, a newspaper reported.

Oil climbed toward $73 on Friday after snapping a two-day fall a day ago from 10-month highs, boosted by better-than-expected GDP and jobs data in the United States that signal the economic recovery is on track.

Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke was among hundreds of victims of an identity fraud ring that stole more than $2.1 million from consumers and financial institutions across the United States, Newsweek magazine reported on its website.