ECONOMY & MARKETS

The leaders of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., voted Monday to approve a bankruptcy filing for the ski resort town, just days after Stockton, Calif., became the most populous U.S. city to turn to bankruptcy court for protection from its creditors.

China's services sector expanded at its fastest pace in three months in June, an official survey showed on Tuesday, but left intact market expectations that Beijing will deliver more policy measures to support growth in the near future.

Asian shares inched up on Tuesday as manufacturing data around the world highlighted the drag on growth from the protracted euro zone debt crisis, raising expectations for the Federal Reserve to take further steps to underpin the fragile economy.

The whirlpool created by the European financial crisis is finally dragging American down. That?s the conclusion of some economists, after disappointing manufacturing activity data showed a slight contraction in June.

Tanzania is one of the poorest nations on earth, with one of the weakest health care systems.

U.S. stock markets started the second half of this year with an encouraging uptick before turning down in midday.

It?s not because the exchange rate is different.

U.S. manufacturing contracted in June for the first time since July 2009 as demand fell amid the euro zone crisis, according to Institute for Supply Management data released Monday.

U.S. home prices rose 2 percent in May, another sign that the depressed housing market is stabilizing, data firm CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX) said Monday.

While this week will be interrupted midway by the Fourth of July holiday, the barbecues and fireworks are unlikely to take away from the importance of Friday's June nonfarm payrolls report. Monday's ISM manufacturing index will also be in focus.

Brightpoint, Lincare Holdings, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Barclays, Nokia Corp, Verizon Communications, Tata Motors and Dollar Tree are among the companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading Monday.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open Monday as investor sentiment turned positive with indications of improvement in business conditions in Asia and also continued optimism on the measures taken at the EU summit.

Asian Stock markets ended flat Monday as the optimism over Europe's moves to tackle the region's debt crisis faded and lackluster data from China also weighed.

Most European markets rose Monday as investors were encouraged by the hopeful economic indications from Asia and also the measures taken at the EU summit last week.

Crude oil futures declined during Asian trading hours Monday after reporting their biggest one-day price surge in three years in the previous session as a breakthrough in the European Union summit in Brussels boosted sentiment.

Most Asian markets rose Monday amid indications of improving business conditions in Japan and on continued optimism about the measures taken in the EU summit to alleviate the euro zone debt burden.

One hundred years after former President Teddy Roosevelt first proposed it, the United States -- the richest nation on earth -- has finally joined the world?s other, major, industrialized economies in having a universal health insurance plan.

Now that we?ve passed through the first half of 2012, it?s time to reflect on some technology events and anticipate what might be ahead. Maybe we can make a few predictions.

Spain's economy shrank further in the second quarter but looks set to stabilize over the rest of the year while the government continues to push structural reforms and budget austerity, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said on Sunday.

China's factory downturn worsened in June as a key activity index hit a seven-month low; the report is expected to raise expectations that the central bank may seek more policy easing.

Asian markets are expected to begin the week on the upswing gains after leaders of the European Union agreed on action to stem the region's debt crisis.

The top after-market Nasdaq gainers Friday were Medical Action Industries Inc, Velti plc, PowerSecure International Inc, ATP Oil & Gas Corporation and Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. The top after-market Nasdaq losers were: Electronic Arts Inc, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc, Jive Software Inc and Dendreon Corporation.

The top after-market NYSE gainers Friday were: SAIC, EXCO Resources, Talisman Energy, Furmanite Corp and Owens-Illinois. The top after-market NYSE losers were: Sanchez Energy Corp, Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp, Schawk, Tahoe Resources and Ultra Petroleum Corp.

Most Asian markets rose this week as investor sentiment turned positive with the announcement of measures at the EU summit in Brussels aimed at alleviating the current debt crisis gripping the euro zone.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) won't adopt a new restriction that could have prevented thousands of prospective home buyers from obtaining low-cost mortgages.

Disappointed by the lack of aggressive action by the U.S. Federal Reserve during the meeting of its powerful rate-setting committee last week, and expecting little more than rehashed promises from the leaders of Europe this week, pessimistic market-watchers are turning to once again guessing when the clock atop the Eurozone time-bomb will finally run to 0.

Consumer spending in the U.S. was flat in May for the first time in five months, the Commerce Department said Friday, as slower job creation and stagnant wage growth prompted Americans to cut back.

Ever since the International Olympic Committee awarded London the 2012 Olympic games, many questions have been raised about the games' costs and benefits to the city.

Fushi Copperweld, Bank of America, Banco Santander, Caterpillar, Citigroup, Research In Motion, Nike and Infosys Ltd are among the companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading Friday.