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The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, while productivity was stronger than initially thought in the fourth quarter, boosting hopes for the economic recovery.

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell as expected last week, a government report showed on Thursday, while those continuing to receive benefits dropped to the lowest level in over a year.

Asian shares failed to hold on to their early gains, slipping into negative territory as worries about Greece and the outlook for the global economy made investors cautious.

The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in February to the lowest level since 2006, and employers appear to have shifted away from downsizing even though hiring may be a while off, a report on Wednesday showed.

Greece's borrowing costs fell to their lowest level in weeks on Tuesday amid growing expectations that the government will announce new austerity measures this week to secure European financial support.

Office products retailer Staples Inc gave a weaker-than-expected forecast for 2010, as it invests to expand its store base and technology business, sending its shares down more than 7 percent.

Carmakers are bracing for lower sales in Europe this year as incentive programs end, while elsewhere companies are seeing opportunities in their competitors' product recalls.

McDermott International Inc reported higher quarterly net income on Monday as offshore oil and gas work offset weakness in power generation systems, but it posted revenue well short of analysts' estimates.

World stocks rose on Friday, aided by upbeat economic data from Japan and expectations for solid corporate results, while two-year euro zone yields hit record lows as investors wary of the Greek debt crisis sought safety.

Wall St was set for a lower open on Thursday after rating agencies said they may downgrade Greece's sovereign debt, reigniting worries over possible defaults in the euro zone, and an increase in jobless claims fueled concerns about the U.S. economy.

Optimism over Fed Chairman Bernanke's comments on Wednesday faded as global markets sputtered over unsettled Greece woes.

World number two truck maker Volvo said on Wednesday deliveries of its trucks fell 8 percent year-on-year in January as weak demand continued to plague its main European market.

Four days of blizzards dumped 67 cm (26 inches) across the Russian capital by Tuesday, breaking the Feb record of 64 cm experienced at the height of the Cold War 44 years ago, and much more is expected this week, the Moscow weather bureau said.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.2 to 0.3 percent, pointing to a weaker start for equities on Wall Street on Wednesday.

Asia shares fell on Wednesday as surprise declines in U.S. consumer confidence and German business sentiment fueled fears about the strength of the global economic recovery and boosted the safe-haven yen.

U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday as consumer sentiment dropped sharply and house prices unexpectedly dipped, denting optimism about a economic recovery.

U.S. stock index futures dropped on Tuesday as a key index of German business sentiment fell unexpectedly, denting confidence in a global economic recovery and weighing on European shares.

Dell Inc's quarterly gross margin missed Wall Street expectations, hurt by sales of lower-priced personal computers for consumers and a rise in costs for memory chips and other components.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc said sales at its existing U.S. stores fell during the holiday quarter and forecast results for the current quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates.

Societe Generale expects results to recover in 2010 with lower bad risk write-downs after it rattled markets last month with a toxic asset warning.

Genzyme Corp said on Wednesday it is on the way to resolving a manufacturing crisis that led to shortages of two key drugs, but said production of one of them remains below par and the company's shares fell more than 1 percent.