EQUITIES

The dollar fell to a three-week low against the euro and Treasuries steadied ahead of a Federal Reserve policy meeting on Tuesday, while stocks held near a two-year peak, supported by optimism over Chinese growth.

Asian stocks advanced on Tuesday, supported by optimism that China would shun aggressive measures to curb inflation that could inhibit its strong economic growth or blunt its voracious demand for raw materials.

The Nasdaq closed lower to end eight straight days of gains on Monday as some large-cap tech stocks slid in a late-day sell-off.

The Nasdaq closed lower and ended eight straight days of gains on Monday while the Dow and S&P 500 ended flat as optimism faded over China's move to tame its growth.

Wall Street's rise continued on Monday, with the Nasdaq up for a ninth straight day as moves by China to rein in inflation weren't as aggressive as had been feared.

European shares rose for a sixth straight day on Monday, the longest winning streak in five months, on optimism for the economy and as China's decision not to raise interest rates boosted miners.

Wall Street rose modestly on Monday with investor appetite for stocks lifted by a flurry of merger deals and the expected congressional approval of a tax-cut extension.

Stock index futures rose on Monday after China held off on raising interest rates over the weekend despite high inflation pressure.

Stock index futures were higher on Monday after China decided to leave interest rates unchanged.

Stock index futures pointed to mixed open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.05 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.03 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.06 percent at 0853 GMT.

Selling pressure on 10-year U.S. Treasuries drove yields to fresh six-month highs on Monday as investors threatened to undo this year's bond rally on signs of global economic recovery and deeper U.S. deficits.

Asian stocks chalked up modest gains on Monday, buoyed by upbeat U.S. data, while Chinese shares rose nearly 3 percent as investors reacted with relief that Beijing's policy moves to cool inflation did not include an interest rate rise.

Asian stocks chalked up modest gains on Monday, while the benchmark U.S. Treasury yield hit a six-month high in response to upbeat U.S. data, helping shore up the dollar.

Asian stocks rose on Monday as investors took in their stride China's latest attempt to cool inflation and fresh vows to tackle price pressure, while upbeat U.S. economic data helped

U.S. stocks rose on Friday, with the S&P 500 at its highest level since the week Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, and breaching technical levels that suggest the year-end rally will persist.

U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 at its highest level since the week Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, breaching technical levels that suggest the year-end rally will persist.

General Electric Co raised its quarterly dividend by 2 cents per share to 14 cents, its second increase in the payout this year and a fresh sign the largest U.S. conglomerate is gaining confidence in the outlook for its finance business.

Stock index futures rose on Friday following encouraging data out of China and as a two-year high in the S&P 500 had investors betting on a year-end rally.

U.S. stocks rose on Friday following encouraging economic data on consumer sentiment and trade, while the S&P 500's break above key levels pointed to further gains.

Stocks were little changed on Friday with the S&P 500 locked in a tight trading range and as the dollar gained, but encouraging data limited the downside.

Wall Street was set for a slightly higher open on Friday following encouraging data out of China and as a two-year high in the S&P 500 had investors betting on a year-end rally.

World stocks edged higher on Friday as investors grew more confident about the prospect for economic recovery following robust U.S. and Chinese data while Treasuries stabilized after a sell-off earlier this week.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 rise 0.1 to 0.3 percent, pointing to a firmer start on Wall Street on Friday.

Japanese stocks fell on Friday after a rise to a seven-month high earlier in the day prompted profit taking, although they outperformed the rest of Asia this week, while U.S. Treasuries steadied on the view yields had risen too high, too quickly.

Japanese stocks slipped from a seven-month high on Friday on profit taking, though were poised to outperform the rest of Asia this week, while U.S. Treasuries were steady on the view yields had risen too high, too quickly.

Four companies will join the benchmark S&P 500 index after the closing bell on December 17, S&P said in a statement on Thursday.

Stocks edged up on Thursday, with the benchmark S&P 500 closing at a two-year high, a trend investors expect to continue through the rest of the year.

U.S. stocks edged up on Thursday, with the benchmark S&P 500 closing at a two-year high, a trend investors expect to continue through the rest of the year.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended slightly higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 hovering around two-year highs, a trend investors expect to continue through the rest of the year.