CATERPILLAR

Stocks extended their gains on Monday and the Nasdaq rose 1 percent, helped by strength in big-capitalization technology names.

Wall Street was set for a higher open on Monday as strong earnings from Caterpillar offset concerns European policymakers were struggling to narrow differences in tackling the region's debt crisis.

Caterpillar Inc far exceeded analyst expectations on Monday, reporting a 44 percent quarterly earnings increase and record revenue, and signaling tempered optimism in its 2012 sales outlook.

S&P 500 index futures were little changed on Monday as European policymakers differed over the size of sovereign debt losses that private bondholders will have to accept, but strong earnings from Caterpillar put a floor on losses.

- Caterpillar Inc reported a 44 percent quarterly earnings increase and record revenue due to strong demand, far exceeding analyst estimates.

Stock index futures edged lower on Monday after the S&P 500 posted its third straight week of gains as investors had doubts European policymakers would come up with an agreement to fix the region's debt crisis.

The companies that are expected to see active trade on Monday are: Caterpillar, Amgen, Invesco, Texas Instruments, Netflix, Eaton, Kimberly Clark, Masco, VF and Zions Bancorporation.

Prospects for corporate earnings are appearing comparatively dimmer in the coming quarters -- even though reports so far this quarter have been looking relatively bright.

General Electric Co reported earnings that met Wall Street expectations, but its shares slipped 1.4 percent as investors worried about declining profit margins at its energy equipment division.

No need to repeat all of the bad news about the U.S. economy. Further, as the stock market's bulls point out, that's history. Looking forward, the picture brightens, and accordingly here's why the bulls think the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is headed higher in the next six months.

From its May 2011 high, the index is down about 19 percent, very close to the 20 percent decline required for a bear market.

This past quarter was miserable for bullish U.S. stock investors. The bad news is, things may get worse before they get better.

THE ISSUE: The S&P Indices/Case Shiller recorded a fourth consecutive month of increases. Existing home sales jumped in the latest report. Low-rate mortgages have boosted affordability measures. Is it time for investors to start looking for real estate?

The U.S. Federal Reserve intervened in the U.S. economy Thursday – the central bank did what investors thought they would do, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average still fell more than 270 points. What’s going on?

An article published on Sept. 9 identified a specific viral gene that drives infected caterpillars to die in a way that offers the best potential for spreading the virus that killed it, scientists say.

It's a scenario that many Americans, if not most, probably do not want to hear about: the United States enters an era called a new normal slow-growth economy -- perhaps for as long as a decade. What are the factors likely to cause it? And is there anything that can prevent it?

Coined as the world's first true amphibious coach, the Terra Wind RV has been created by Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International LLC (C.A.M.I.) owners, John and Julie Giljam.

Stocks rose for a third straight day on Tuesday in a volatile session, after minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting boosted expectations the U.S. central bank will act again to stimulate the economy.

China Citic Bank Corp Ltd plans to sell up to $4.7 billion in offshore yuan-denominated bonds by 2013, indicating that issuers are lining up to sell debt in the territory after the authorities unveiled fresh reforms this month.

To say it's been a discomforting summer for U.S. stock investors would be an understatement. The Dow has been on a wild ride, with large market drops followed by sudden reversals. Look for market choppiness to continue until investors determine whether the Fed's latest monetary policy decision will be enough to rev-up U.S. GDP growth.

The details are sketchy about President Barack Obama's September jobs speech, but one thing is certain: as economic manager, Obama must increase job growth substantially in the next nine months to help the millions of Americans who are unemployed find jobs, to strengthen the economy, and to save his presidency.