MARKETS / FINANCE

Lowe's Cos Inc posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on Monday as it saw some strength in outdoor projects like gardens and lawns in the spring, even as consumers still shunned big home renovations.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc said on Friday it had modestly raised its stakes in Wells Fargo and US Bancorp , two banks whose market values have fallen dramatically.

Deletes reference in paragraph 12 to having sold out of positions in Ingersoll Rand and Iron Mountain

Stocks extended gains on Monday as a solid quarterly profit and raised forecast from Lowe's Cos Inc , the No. 2 U.S. home improvement retailer, heightened hopes the economic slump was easing and spending was stabilizing.

Stocks rose on Monday as a solid quarterly profit and raised forecast from Lowe's Cos Inc , the No. 2 U.S. home improvement retailer, fueled hopes the economic slump was easing and spending was stabilizing.

Stocks opened higher on Monday as stronger-than-expected quarterly results from No. 2 U.S. home improvement chain Lowe's Cos Inc boosted hopes the recession was abating and spending was stabilizing.

U.S. prosecutors have broadened their criminal investigation of the Bernard Madoff case beyond the friends and family of the confessed swindler to at least eight investors and associates, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Stocks headed for a higher open on Monday as stronger-than-expected quarterly results from No. 2 U.S. home improvement chain Lowe's Cos Inc boosted hopes the recession was abating and spending was stabilizing.

AIG is to speed up plans to list its Asian subsidiary through an IPO that could raise more than $4 billion, as the bailed-out U.S. insurer seeks to raise cash to pay back government loans.

Stock index futures rose on Monday as stronger-than-expected quarterly results from No. 2 U.S. home improvement chain Lowe's Cos Inc further boosted hopes the recession was abating and spending was stabilizing.

Lowe's Cos Inc posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Monday and raised its forecast for the year, sending its shares up 11.1 percent in premarket trade.

State Street Corp said on Monday that it planned to sell stock and bonds to position itself to repay a taxpayer infusion, and took a $3.7 billion after-tax charge as it moved asset-backed commercial paper conduits onto its balance sheet.

The Obama administration's budget chief said on Sunday there are signs that the free-fall in the economy seems to have halted.

Oil rose to around $57 a barrel on Monday as traders saw the previous session's near 4 percent fall as excessive and violence in Africa's top oil exporter Nigeria lent support.

Equities in Europe and Japan fell on Monday although emerging markets got a big boost from Indian elections which raised hopes of a stable, pro-economic reform government.

Oil bounced back to $57 a barrel on Monday, recouping some of the previous session's near 4 percent loss, buoyed by short-covering despite a still uncertain outlook for the global economy.

Oil hovered little changed above $56 a barrel on Monday, pausing from the previous session's near 4 percent loss, as the market awaited further economic data and movements in equities markets for directions.

AIG said it would accelerate plans to separate its Asian subsidiary through an initial public offering as the bailed-out U.S. insurer seeks to raise cash and list the unit as soon as possible.

Japan's Nikkei stock average lost 2.9 percent on Monday, briefly touching its lowest point since May 1, as Sony Corp and other exporters fell in the wake of an advancing yen.

American International Group Inc said on Sunday it would accelerate plans to separate its Asian subsidiary through an initial public offering.

Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 2.5 percent on Monday as exporters such as Sony Corp were hit by a stronger yen, while Panasonic Corp tumbled in the wake of a gloomy earnings forecast. Panasonic lost 7 percent after it forecast a bigger-than-expected annual loss following a record quarter of red ink battered by weak demand, price falls and restructuring costs.

Oil hovered little changed above $56 a barrel on Monday, pausing from the previous session's near 4 percent loss, as the market awaited further economic data and movements in equities markets for directions.

Stocks are likely to hit more speed bumps this week as investors become more wary of Wall Street's ability to rally further and housing starts, jobless claims and other indicators are in the spotlight.

The Obama administration's budget chief said on Sunday there are signs that the free-fall in the economy seems to have halted.

Medtronic is armed with cash, ambition, a desire to acquire and a commitment to buy back stock and pay dividends, moves that could drive the medical device maker's shares up 25 percent to 30 percent in the next 12 months, Barron's reported on Sunday.

Shares of Cerner Corp look a little pricey, but there may be upside yet because of gaping holes in healthcare information technology that are starting to get filled, Barron's reported on Sunday.

Central banks might need more power to oversee banks if they are to play a larger role in maintaining financial stability in the post-crisis world, a Bank for International Settlements report said on Sunday.

Investors might have underestimated Wal-Mart Stores Inc's prospects once economic recovery begins, but the retailer's management is buying the stock because it knows it is trading at a bargain, Barron's reported on Sunday.

U.S. shopping center and mall owners can expect to see a lot of vultures circling this year's International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas.