MARKETS / FINANCE

Job losses in the U.S. private sector fell to their lowest monthly level in nearly a year, a report by a private employment service showed on Wednesday, signaling stabilization in the labor sector.

Stock index futures added to losses on Wednesday after a private employment report showed U.S. firms cut more jobs than expected in August.

U.S. private employers cut 298,000 jobs in August, fewer than a revised 360,000 jobs lost in July, a report by a private employment service said on Wednesday.

Planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in August, suggesting less stress on the labor market and improvements in consumer spending and the broader economy in the coming months, a report released on Wednesday showed.

The U.S. Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday it will ask Congress to transform mortgage lenders Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac into several smaller, privately held companies that would issue mortgage securities with a government guarantee.

Stock index futures were flat on Wednesday ahead of private labor market data seen as a precursor to a key government monthly jobs report later in the week, which investors will keenly await after a three-day slide in stocks.

Planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in August, suggesting less stress on the labor market and improvements in consumer spending and the broader economy in the coming months, a report released on Wednesday showed.

Oil rose above $68 a barrel on Wednesday, after a 3 percent drop in the previous session, as data showing a fall in U.S. crude stocks raised expectations of demand growth in the world's biggest energy consumer.

Planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in August, suggesting less stress on the labor market and improvements in consumer spending and the broader economy in the coming months, a report released on Wednesday showed.

Stock index futures were flat on Wednesday ahead of private labor market data, even as BP Plc shares rose after it reported a giant oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico.

As shares of bailed-out banks bottomed out earlier this year, stock options were awarded to their top executives, setting them up for millions of dollars in profit as prices rebounded, according to a report released on Wednesday.

At least 20 top hedge funds boosted their positions in financial institutions in the latest quarter in a sign that Wall Street is ready to bet on more risky sectors in the hope of longer-term rewards.

Credit Suisse's Private Banking head Walter Berchtold said the bank is on the look out for acquisitions, but would not comment on whether this included a bid for private banking assets of ING .

World stocks fell close to 1 percent on Wednesday after an overnight sell off on Wall Street, with both Asia and Europe rattled by concerns over the sustainability of this year's equity rally.

Asian shares pulled back on Wednesday after revived worries about the health of U.S. banks slammed Wall Street, even as upbeat Australian growth figures reassured investors on the economic recovery's staying power.

Vevo, an online music video start-up backed by two major music labels and supported by YouTube's technology platform, is in talks with CBS Corp and NBC to license and develop shows for the Web, according to two people familiar with the talks.

The court-appointed trustee in charge of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi case is preparing to file civil complaints against Madoff's two sons, as well as his brother, CBS News reported on Tuesday.

Reports that Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) is in talks with the U.S. Treasury to repay $20 billion of its federal bailout was met by the market with joy -- and a little skepticism.

Oil edged above $68 a barrel on Wednesday, reversing part of the previous day's slide of 3 percent, after industry data showed a sharp fall in U.S. crude stocks, boosting hopes of a demand rebound in the world's top energy user.

A majority of Google mail users were unable to access the service Tuesday afternoon, in a rare widespread outage of the popular Gmail service.

Oil edged above $68 a barrel on Wednesday, reversing part of the previous day's slide of 3 percent, after industry data showed a sharp fall in U.S. crude stocks, boosting hopes of a demand rebound in the world's top energy user.

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc reported a slightly smaller-than-expected quarterly loss and topped revenue forecasts, but tempered its outlook for the current quarter, and the video game publisher's shares dipped slightly in extended trading.

A majority of Google mail users were unable to access the service on Tuesday afternoon, in a rare widespread outage of the popular Gmail service.

Toyota Motor Corp plans to raise production of its Tacoma and Tundra pickups to meet expected demand for trucks, and increase production of fuel-efficient vehicles through the end of the year, executives said on Tuesday.

The Australian Dollar opens sharply lower on Wednesday at 0.8260 after the Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged at 3 per cent.

Khosla Ventures said on Tuesday it had raised more than $1 billion for renewable energy and clean technology funds, a sign that skittish investors are hot for climate-change-related projects.

Do once-hot Internet start-ups who miss a date with destiny ever truly get a second chance? History says no, even for once-great names like Netscape, AOL and MySpace.

Toyota Motor Corp plans to raise production of its Tacoma and Tundra pickups to meet expected demand for trucks, and increase production of fuel-efficient vehicles through the end of the year, executives said on Tuesday.

U.S. stocks fell for a third straight day on Tuesday, spooked by uncertainty over the health of financials and concerns that the explosive rally since March may have run ahead of economic reality.