IBT Staff Reporter

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged higher on Monday as several bellwethers rose on brokerage upgrades and positive comments about the economy, but worries about euro zone sovereign debt problems limited gains.

Greek civil servants threatened on Monday to stage more strikes in protest at government austerity measures, heightening fears debt-laden members of the euro zone may struggle to deliver on promises to tackle stretched budgets.

American International Group Inc on Monday named a KeyCorp vice chairman and financial services veteran to a newly created post overseeing finance, risk and investments.

U.S. stocks edged higher on Monday as several bellwether shares rose on brokerage upgrades and comments about improving economic conditions, though persistent worries about euro zone sovereign debt problems limited gains.

International pressure for new sanctions against Iran grew on Monday after Tehran announced more moves to expand nuclear fuel production and enrichment plants, heightening Western fears it wants to make atom bombs.

The Internet is helping older British readers rekindle a love of books and writing, and an overwhelming majority of senior citizens see the medium as a positive development, according to a survey.

The S&P 500 erased earlier losses to trade positive for the day, as commodity related firms get a boost from a declining dollar and housing related stocks lead the rally.

A blast at a power plant in Middletown, Connetticut killed five people and left more than a dozen injured on Sunday.

In a new study, the researchers report that using a standard 1-inch needle to immunize obese adolescents against hepatitis B virus produced a much weaker effect than using a longer needle.

The Dow industrials turned positive on Monday as energy shares rose in sync with higher oil prices, and the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 indexes climbed as investors snapped up shares beaten down in the recent sell-off.

With his legislative agenda in limbo, Obama sought to rally Democratic activists still reeling from the loss of a pivotal Senate seat last month and now scrambling to head off a Republican challenge in the November congressional elections.

Mining group Xstrata reinstated dividends on Monday, reflecting confidence about commodities demand and its finances after posting an expected 41 percent fall in 2009 profit reflecting weaker metals prices.

Stocks were lower on Monday as brokerage upgrades for Home Depot Inc and Amazon.com Inc were offset by persistent worries about euro zone sovereign debt problems that dented sentiment.

The U.S. job market improved in January for the fifth consecutive month, pointing to possible job growth in the first quarter of this year, a research group said on Monday.

Intel Corp's Israeli subsidiary said on Monday its exports surged 145 percent in 2009 to a record $3.4 billion and the company is hoping growth will continue with further expansion in the country.

Vodafone Group Plc, the world's largest mobile phone operator by revenue, has secured a four-year deal to provide Oracle Corp with voice, data and management services to employees in the EMEA region.

U.S. stock indices are mixed in morning trading, as investors digest the results of the G7 meeting and continue to monitor the Greek sovereign debt situation.

LONDON (Reuters) - Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk of developing asthma after the menopause, scientists said on Monday.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Monday as nagging worries about euro zone sovereign debt continued to weigh on sentiment.

A consumer advocate set to testify this week in a congressional probe of safety issues at Toyota Motor Corp said on Sunday the automaker had skirted a full investigation of unintended acceleration in its vehicles and faced a risk of growing recalls.

People who drank mostly fruit juice instead of sodas did not have the same risk, the study of 60,000 people in Singapore found.

Australia's BHP Billiton named Chris Campbell as president of the firm's iron ore business on Monday, the second major management reshuffle among top miners in the country focused on soaring demand from China.

Australian wealth manager AMP Ltd has let its exclusive deal with French insurer AXA SA expire for a joint $11 billion buy of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings, paving the way for rival bidder National Australia Bank to start talks with the French.

China National Offshore Oil Corp's likely acquisition of oil field assets in Africa should silence critics concerned that the country's top offshore oil producer has been sitting on too much cash for too long.

CVS Caremark Corp posted a higher quarterly profit on Monday as sales at its drugstores increased and it began to attract more business to its pharmacy benefits management unit.

Spanish bank Santander is considering the sale of a minority stake in its UK arm through a stock market flotation to potentially repeat a windfall from a Brazilian spinoff last year, industry sources said on Monday.

At least 15 Indian soldiers were killed after an avalanche smashed into a military training camp near the country's disputed border with Pakistan on Monday, police and army said.

Hollywood studio Lionsgate, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, is looking to buy Walt Disney's Miramax film unit, the New York Post said, citing sources inside or close to Lionsgate.

Wall Street was poised for a flat open on Monday as positive quarterly results from companies, including CVS Caremark Corp and Hasbro Inc, offset nagging worries about euro zone sovereign debt issues.