IBT Staff Reporter

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, signaling a rebound after the previous session's steep losses, ahead of data expected to show U.S. manufacturing grew for a third consecutive month in October.

U.S. companies hurt by the global credit crisis are continuing to hold more cash, even as the economy begins to show signs of improvement, the Wall Street Journal said, citing its analysis of company filings.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, signaling a rebound after the previous session's steep losses, ahead of data expected to show U.S. manufacturing grew for a third consecutive month in October.

European shares recovered from a four-week low to trade flat by mid-session on Monday and a volatility index spiked up, indicating waning investor appetite for risk.

Ford Motor Co surprised Wall Street with a quarterly profit on Monday supported by cost cuts, improved credit results, and increased market share.

Britain's top share index rose 0.6 percent in mid-session trade on Monday supported by gains from miners and oils after bullish economic data, which offset weaker defensive stocks.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, signaling a rebound from Friday's steep losses, ahead of data expected to show U.S. manufacturing grew for a third consecutive month.

White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers will lead a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the state of the economy, job creation and ways to achieve sustainable growth.

Ford Motor Co surprised Wall Street with a quarterly profit on Monday supported by cost cuts, improved credit results, and increased market share.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, signaling a rebound from Friday's steep losses, ahead of data expected to show U.S. manufacturing grew for a third consecutive month.

Shares of Japanese consumer lenders soared on Monday after a source said the government may ease regulations that have crippled the sector and raised hurdles for small businesses to get loans.

News, details on bond issues in the European markets on Monday:

Britain's top share index was up 0.3 percent early on Monday, as gains in commodity stocks outweighed slight weakness in defensives like pharmaceutical and tobacco stocks.

European shares hit a four-week low on Monday, extending the previous session's sharp declines on doubts that the stock market had rallied ahead of economic recovery, with banks featuring among top losers.

* U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, signalling a rebound after the previous session's steep losses, with futures for the S&P 500 SPc1 up 0.74 percent, Dow Jones DJc1 futures up 0.68 percent and Nasdaq 100 NDc1 futures up 0.02 percent at 0912 GMT.

Oil rose above $78 a barrel on Monday, recovering from the previous session's steep drop, after manufacturing data from China revived expectations economic recovery would generate extra fuel demand.

Oil rose toward $78 a barrel on Monday, recovering from the previous session's drop, after manufacturing data from China revived expectations economic recovery would generate extra fuel demand.

White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers will lead a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the state of the economy, job creation and ways to achieve sustainable growth.

MTV Urge ... Yahoo Music Unlimited ... Virgin Digital ... Since 2003 -- when iTunes launched in the United States -- all of these digital music services have come and gone, without challenging Apple's market dominance, despite the backing of resource-rich parent companies.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, signaling a rebound after the previous session's steep losses, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.74 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.68 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.02 percent at 4:12 a.m. EST.

Oil rose above $77 a barrel on Monday, retracing some of the previous session's drop, as manufacturing data from China helped to allay fears about the pace of the rebound in global energy demand.

World stocks added to the previous week's losses on Monday, hugging one-month lows as investors pulled back from a more than seven month rally and prepared for the eventual withdrawal of stimulative monetary policy.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc on Monday announced its second round of price cuts on toys as the world's biggest retailer backs up its intention to be the price leader this holiday shopping season.

Comcast Corp and General Electric Co are closer to a deal to give Comcast a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal and a formal announcement may be made in the coming week, the New York Times said, citing people briefed on the talks.

Oil rose above $77 a barrel on Monday, retracing some of the previous session's 3.6 percent drop, as bullish manufacturing data from China helped to allay fears about the pace of the rebound in global energy demand.

Uncertainty for Economic Growth;CIT's Capitulation; SEC's Missed Chances

The U.S. economy has been kick-started into growth but stock investors still face an uncertain outlook as Wall Street gears up for comments from the Federal Reserve and a key report on employment this week.

White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers will lead a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the state of the economy, job creation and ways to achieve sustainable growth.

The yen reversed steep early gains and slid on Monday in choppy trade as market players bought the Australian dollar against the Japanese currency ahead of an expected rate hike in Australia this week.