INVESTMENT

Stock index futures pointed to a higher opening on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.22 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.26 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.08 percent at 4:45 a.m. EDT.

A U.S. federal judge has refused to approve Monday's settlement between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of America Corp related to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co.

The U.S. government has queried Goldman Sachs Group Inc about its compensation practices and credit derivative instruments, the firm said on Wednesday.

U.S. stocks slipped on Wednesday after weak data on the services sector and private payrolls cooled recent optimism the recession was retreating, but the market finished off its lows as investors ventured into riskier financial shares.

Brazilian stock and debt sales slumped 45 percent in the first seven months of 2009 as local capital markets reeled from the impact of the global credit crisis, the nation's securities industry association said on Wednesday.

Global hotelier Hyatt Hotels Corp is seeking to raise up to $1.15 billion in an initial public offering, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

U.S. stocks slipped on Wednesday after weak data on the services sector and private payrolls cooled recent optimism the recession was retreating, but the market finished off its lows as investors ventured into riskier financial shares.

U.S. stocks slipped on Wednesday after weak data on the services sector and private payrolls cooled recent optimism the recession was retreating, but the market finished off its lows as investors ventured into riskier financial shares.

Economy worries, Loan demand up, Ratings rejection

The U.S. government has queried Goldman Sachs Group Inc about its compensation practices and credit derivative instruments, the firm said on Wednesday.

The United States and Switzerland are expected to reach a final settlement on Friday to end a tax row against giant UBS , but details of the deal won't be made public the same day, sources familiar with the situation said.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said on Wednesday the government has queried its compensation practices and the use of credit derivatives. Goldman in July reported robust net earnings of $3.4 billion for the second quarter, soon after repaying a $10 billion bailout received from the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Deutsche Bank is in talks to take a minority stake in Sal. Oppenheim that could eventually lead to a take over of the embattled private bank and herald further consolidation in Europe's wealth management industry.

Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc , the No. 2 global insurance broker, reported a second-quarter net loss on Wednesday, hurt by a writedown of the value of its security consulting business.

U.S. stocks were set to open flat on Wednesday as data showing higher-than-expected private-sector job losses in July sparked caution about the strength of the economic recovery.

U.S. stock index futures slipped further on Wednesday as investors turned cautious after data showed private-sector jobs losses were higher than expected in July, sparking concern about the strength of the economic recovery.

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday before key reports on the labor market, factory orders and the vast services sector.

Citigroup plans to sell 20 businesses in consumer finance area, many of them located in Europe, its CEO Vikram Pandit said in an interview with Singapore's Business Times.

Unexpectedly modest bad debt provisions and an investment banking recovery cushioned Societe Generale against steep falls in second quarter profits and the French bank said there were signs of stabler market conditions ahead.

Unexpectedly modest bad debt provisions and an investment banking recovery cushioned Societe Generale against steep falls in second quarter profits and the French bank said there were signs of stabler market conditions ahead.

Young investors may accept the argument that those who begin investing when stocks are cheap end up with more retirement money, but after the turmoil of the past year, some find it hard to put their money in the market.