DOW JONES

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones futures and Nasdaq 100 futures down between 1.4 to 1.8 percent at 0923 GMT.

FedEx Corp is seen reporting higher quarterly results than a year ago on Thursday, but analysts are more keen to see if the No. 2 package delivery company cuts its full-year guidance because stalled global economic growth has stifled volume.

Stocks plunged late Wednesday after the Federal Reserve announced it will sell $400 billion worth of short-maturity bonds and reinvest in bonds with maturities of six to 30 years in the coming year. The program has been commonly referred to as Operation Twist.

The Dow and the S&P 500 fell on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said it would launch a new $400 billion program to aid the flagging economy.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.23 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.26 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.07 percent at 3:06 a.m. ET.

Shares of Canadian gold and silver mining companies soared Tuesday as precious metals prices climb and worries about the U.S. economy as well as the eurozone's sovereign debt crises drive investors.

Shareholders are likely snapping up Apple stock in anticipation of the next generation of iPhone products – the iPhone 5, which many analysts say will receive unprecedented demand.

U.S. stocks fell sharply on Monday as renewed fears of a Greek debt default prompted investors to book some of last week's gains and turn toward the safety of U.S. government debt.

Wall Street hopes for more Fed action and clear signs European leaders will follow through on their new urgency to tackle the euro zone debt crisis if U.S. stocks are to build on their best week since early July.

Stock index futures pointed to a sharply lower open on Wall Street on Monday, as renewed fears of a Greek debt default prompt investors to book some of last week's gains and turn to safer assets such as gold.

US Equity markets advanced modestly as concerns over the European debt crisis overshadowed international central banks efforts to stabilize the European monetary system.

Stock futures pointed to a weaker open for equities on Wall Street on Friday after strong gains in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 down 0.4-0.7 percent.

With UBS losing approximately $2 billion from unauthorized trades by a "rogue" trader, the road for recovery for the Swiss bank could be long.

Gold prices settled moderately lower Wednesday after a string of European developments during the trading session boosted investor hope that the continent's sovereign debt crisis is finally getting the attention it requires.

Gold extended its losses Wednesday after Italian lawmakers approved a major austerity program, the latest in a string of signs that Europe's debt crises may be finally getting the attention they deserve.

Gold prices fell Wednesday as stock markets in Europe posted gains from European Commission plans to push euro zone bonds and China's premier expressed support for struggling European countries.

U.S. investors remained concerned that Europe's leaders are not getting ahead of the Greek crisis, which could result in a full-fledged Europe bank crisis, even as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while not committing more German funds to possible intervention, again dismissed talk of a Greek default.

Gold rose Tuesday as the U.S. dollar weakened against the euro and other key currencies while bargain hunters moved in following two session in which the yellow lost value.

European stocks were down 2 percent in late trade on Monday, with French banking shares hit by mounting fears over their exposure to debt-stricken countries, but the lack of a sell-off at the open on Wall Street helped the market trim losses.

Stock futures pointed to sharp falls for equities on Monday after tumbling in the previous session following the resignation of a top official at the European Central Bank, with futures for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 down 1.6 to 1.9 percent.

U.S. stocks tumbled on Friday after the top German official at the European Central Bank resigned in protest of the bank's bond-buying program, which has been a major tool in fighting the region's debt crisis.