FALL

Online travel agency Orbitz Worldwide posted a quarterly profit, helped by lower expenses, on Thursday, but the results missed expectations and shares fell more than 9 percent in early trading.

U.S. business productivity in the third quarter grew at the fastest pace in six years and new claims for jobless aid fell to a 10-month low last week, indicating the decline in labor market may be hitting bottom.

U.S. retail chains reported October sales that rebounded from the lows of a year ago but many failed to surpass Wall Street's boosted expectations as consumers spend selectively headed into the holiday season.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless insurance fell more than expected last week to a 10-month low, government data showed on Thursday, pointing to a gradual improvement in the labor market.

Molson Coors Brewing Co said beer volumes continue to decline in the current fourth quarter as consumers remain focused on value, and shares fell 8.5 percent.

Smith Micro Software Inc posted a quarterly profit that beat analysts' estimates by a penny, but revenue missed, hurt by a tough economic environment, and the company cut its full-year revenue view, sending its shares down 20 percent.

The Energy Information Administration's (EIA) U.S. Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Proved Reserves, 2008 reports that proved reserves of crude oil fell by more than 10 percent in 2008, primarily because of low end-of-year prices used to estimate proved reserves, even though discoveries of crude oil rose for the third year in a row. In contrast, proved reserves of natural gas rose by 3 percent in 2008, despite low end-of-year prices.

Planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell for a third straight month in October to a 19-month low, feeding hopes the labor market will continue to improve as economic activity rebounds.

MasterCard Inc reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Tuesday as the world's second-largest credit card network aggressively trimmed marketing expenses and raised fees to banks, and consumers used their debit cards more.

Berlin hosts the MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday, where German pop rock band Tokio Hotel will perform alongside U.S. rapper Jay-Z and Latin pop star Shakira.

MasterCard Inc reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Tuesday as the world's second-largest credit card network raised fees to banks and cut expenses, while consumers used their debit cards more.

World stocks dipped toward the previous session's four-week lows on Tuesday as investors continued to fret over the early removal of government stimulus, particularly in the financial sector.

Australia's greenhouse gas emissions fell in the year to June, the first decline since an greenhouse inventory started in 1998, as the economy slowed due to the global financial crisis.

U.S. retailers are expected to post positive October sales results this week, but investors hoping for a clear signal on economic recovery could be in for disappointment, industry experts said.

European shares had drifted lower by midday of the last trading day of the month after surging in the prior session on U.S. GDP data, as falling energy stocks, hit by weaker crude prices, offset gains in financials.

European shares were little changed in midmorning trade on Friday after sharp gains in the previous session on data showing the U.S. had emerged from recession, with firmer banks offsetting weaker energy stocks.

McAfee Inc , the No. 2 U.S. security software maker, reported quarterly revenue that missed Wall Street projections as sales to consumers grew at their slowest rate in almost two years.

U.S. government debt prices fell on Thursday, as data showed the U.S. economy grew at a faster-than-expected pace in the third quarter, boosting optimism of a rapid emergence from recession.

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc and PepsiAmericas Inc sold fewer soft drinks in the United States than analysts anticipated, signaling that consumers remain cautious about spending and pushing shares of both bottlers down.

European shares hit a three-week low on Wednesday as banks came under pressure following results from Banco Santander (SAN.MC), while earnings by BG Group (BG.L) weighed on energy stocks.

U.S. stock index futures fell on Wednesday after disappointing results from bellwethers overseas, while investors awaited figures on U.S. durable good orders and new home sales.