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Stocks rose on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index attempting the first two-day advance in a month, as investors held out hope that Washington would restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index attempting its first two-day advance in a month, as investors bet Washington would restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

Stocks rose on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index attempting its first two-day advance in a month, as investors bet Washington would restore confidence in banks by relieving them of money-losing assets.

UBS said earnings would remain at risk due to its exposure to illiquid and choppy markets, as it revised up its 2008 net loss, the biggest in Swiss corporate history, to include a large U.S. tax fine and extra writedowns.

Banking worries shot back into equity markets on Wednesday after leading European bank UBS said it saw its earnings at risk for some time, weighing on investors a day after many had their best day since December.

The U.S. dollar slipped and world stocks rallied in their biggest single-day gain in three months on Tuesday after a Citigroup memo saying the troubled bank made a profit in January and February fuelled the appetite for risk.

U.S. stocks posted their best day in four months on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009.

U.S. stocks posted their best day in four months on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the bank's survival prospects and sending its shares up 38.1 percent.

Stocks rallied strongly on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and a key lawmaker said he expects the reinstatement of a rule that hinders bets a stock will fall.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the troubled bank's survival prospects.

Stocks rallied further on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and a key lawmaker said he expects a rule that makes it harder to bet that a share's price will fall will be reinstated soon.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the troubled bank's survival prospects.

U.S. stocks rose about 5 percent on Tuesday after Citigroup said it was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and a key lawmaker said he expects the restoration of a rule that makes it harder to bet that a share's price will fall.

NEW YORK - eBay Inc is asking its stockholders to approve a one-time program to let employees exchange their underwater stock options for restricted stock units at a set ratio, according to a U.S. regulatory filing.

Stocks rose sharply on Tuesday as financials led a broad run-up from 12-year lows after reassurance from Citigroup about its performance, while investors turned hopeful about efforts to stem the economic slide.

Citigroup Inc was profitable in the first two months of 2009 and is confident about its capital strength, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said, easing concerns about the troubled bank's survival prospects.

Merrill Lynch & Co paid Latin American investment banker Alexandre Bettamio, whom it poached from UBS AG, at least $7 million in guaranteed bonuses for 2008, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Stock futures rose on Tuesday as reassuring comments from Citigroup about the bank's performance fueled a run-up in financials and investors became hopeful about Washington's efforts to revive the economy.

U.S. officials are examining what fresh steps they may need to take to stabilize Citigroup Inc if its problems mount, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Citigroup Inc. spent about $3.5 million to provide rewards for top-performing advisers at its Smith Barney brokerage unit, funded by operating revenue to achieves a nearly 80 percent cost saving.