INVESTMENT

Stocks rose on Thursday as rising oil and other commodity prices lifted energy stocks, while retail sales and weekly jobless claims data bolstered optimism for an economic recovery.

Bank of America chief executive officer Ken Lewis said Thursday his bank went through with the Merrill Lynch acquisition late last year after the government committed to taking on some of the risk of the merger.

The International Monetary Fund has revised its 2010 growth forecast sharply upwards, a source said on Thursday, and surging Chinese investment in May fueled hopes of a global recovery.

Stocks advanced on Thursday as oil and commodity prices rose and retail and jobs data boosted hopes of economic recovery.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co's deal to sell IPO stocks through Fidelity Investments suggests it might be gearing up to take public some of the companies in its portfolio, despite a market that remains inhospitable to deals backed by private equity.

Emails from Federal Reserve officials appear to back assertions by Bank of America Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis that he was under pressure, to the point of losing his job, to complete the purchase of Merrill Lynch, despite worries about its financial condition.

Stocks headed for a flat open on Thursday after data on weekly jobless claims and May retail sales raised worries that the pace of recovery would be sluggish.

Chinese investment surged in May, fanning hopes the world's third-largest economy may lead a global recovery, although a record slump in Japan's first quarter GDP reinforced expectations any rebound would be slow.

Wall Street was set to open flat to higher on Thursday, with investors eyeing retail sales and weekly jobless data for fresh insight into the state of the recession-hit economy.

Wall Street was set to open flat on Thursday, with investors eyeing retail sales and weekly jobless data for fresh insight into the state of the recession-hit economy.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc is being sued by two former clients for more than $190 million, alleging the failed bank deceived them about the market for auction-rate debt.

Venture capitalists expect investment in the clean technologies sector to increase over the next three years, according to a survey by Deloitte Research and the National Venture Capital Association.

The brutal pace of job losses on Wall Street may be slowing, but experts remain cautious about whether this means a quick turnaround is on the way.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 1.3 percent, Dow Jones futures up 1.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 1.1 percent.

Citigroup Corp. announced a finalized deal with the U.S. government on Wednesday that could add up to $58 billion in common equity to the company, with chief executive Vikram Pandit saying the move would make the bank among the best capitalized in the world.

Stocks headed for a higher open on Wednesday, as surging prices for oil and other commodities drove a global equities rally and Home Depot raised its outlook.

Stock futures pointed to a sharply higher open on Wednesday, as surging prices for oil and other commodities drove a global equities rally and Home Depot raised its outlook.

Stock futures pointed to opening gains of more than 1 percent on Wednesday, following a rally in global stock markets underpinned by higher commodity and energy prices.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 1.3 percent, Dow Jones futures up 1.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 1.1 percent.

Indian shares rose 2.25 percent on Wednesday to its best close in 10 months, as markets across Asia and Europe were boosted by cash-flush investors buoyed by signs of revival in global economic growth.

Asian shares rallied on Wednesday as reports of stronger-than-expected industrial output in China raised optimism about the global economy, lifting metals and oil prices at or near multi-month highs.