Reuters - Munich Re (MUVGn.DE) made a net profit of $619 million in the third quarter, up by a third from a year ago, the company reported on Monday and said big payouts on U.S. hurricanes would not deflect from its profit goal for the year.

AP - Japan Airlines Corp. sank into a loss for the first half through September, thanks to soaring fuel prices and safety concerns, prompting the nation's top carrier to announce an average 10 percent pay cut Monday for its workers.

FT.com - Japanese stocks ended largely unchanged on Monday, with mixed earnings announcements, weakness in export stocks but continued strength in domestically focused sectors.

AP - With a calendar bereft of important economic or earnings releases, U.S. stock market futures drifted Monday after last week's strong technology sector gains.

AP - El Paso Corp., which operates the nation's largest gas transport system, on Monday posted a wider third-quarter loss on one-time events and increased gas and oil prices.

AP - The reinsurer Munich Re AG posted a 35 percent rise in third-quarter profit Monday, as proceeds from the sale of a stake in Allianz AG offset its exposure to deadly hurricanes that plagued the Gulf of Mexico this summer.

Reuters - Munich Re (MUVGn.DE) said on Monday its 2005 profit goal was still within reach after third-quarter earnings rose as gains from investments outweighed big payouts for hurricane damage in the United States.

AP - The New York Stock Exchange is considering entering the bidding war for the London Stock Exchange, according to a British newspaper report.

AP - With a calendar bereft of important economic or earnings releases, U.S. stocks are trading higher Monday after last week's strong technology sector gains.

AP - With a calendar bereft of important economic or earnings releases, U.S. stock market futures were higher Monday after last week's strong technology sector gains.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - North American markets were poised for a tentative start to trading Monday after a rally last week that saw stocks rebound 3.43 per cent in Toronto and a second straight week of substantial gains in New York.

AP - Irish no-frills airline Ryanair Holdings PLC said Monday its second-quarter profit rose 17 percent on the back of increased passenger numbers that helped offset rising fuel costs.

AP - Stocks wobbled in and out of positive territory Monday as oil prices sank below $60 a barrel and a legal dispute raised questions about Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Guidant Corp.

Reuters - A New York judge on Monday said he may dismiss charges against a 65-year-old man accused of threatening the life of a fellow New York Stock Exchange seatholder if he agrees to takes a 12-week anger management course.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Stock markets stalled Monday as investors wondered if prices could continue to rally after two weeks of gains against a backdrop of falling oil costs and a dearth of market-moving news.

USATODAY.com - Before investors can high-five each other for another quarter of big-time earnings from Corporate America, there's a troubling reality to deal with: the future. While companies reported overwhelmingly strong third-quarter results, some also gave less-than-glowing forecasts.

AP - Lower oil prices helped stocks make a modest advance Monday while a legal dispute raised questions about Johnson & Johnson's planned acquisition of Guidant Corp.

AP - Intrawest Corp. reported a profit in the latest quarter due to a jump in revenue from a year earlier.

AP - El Paso Corp., the nation's largest natural gas pipeline company, posted a wider third-quarter loss on Monday because of charges mainly related to a power plant and high oil and gas prices that caused non-cash losses on derivatives.

AP - ViroPharma Inc. reported a profit in the latest quarter on strong sales of its antibiotic Vancocin.

AP - Falling oil prices and technology news pushed stocks higher Monday despite a legal dispute that raised questions about Johnson & Johnson's planned acquisition of Guidant Corp.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto stock market drifted higher Monday afternoon, dragged down by falling oil prices after two weeks of gains.

AP - Shares of Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc. stock rose Monday in the first day of trading after the company said earnings in the latest quarter topped analysts' expectations.

AP - El Paso Corp., the nation's largest natural gas pipeline company, posted a wider third-quarter loss on Monday because of one-time charges related to a power plant and high oil and gas prices.

AP - U.S. Concrete Inc. said earnings rose in the latest quarter as revenue climbed.

AP - Deutsche Boerse AG, the operator of Germany's stock exchange, said Monday its net profit in the third quarter almost doubled from a year ago as sales from its Xetra trading floor rose.

The Motley Fool - Chalk up another excellent handicapping of pre-earnings numbers by Foolish contributor Rich Smith. He correctly warned that a hint of weakness in cement demand at Lafarge North America (NYSE: LAF - News) would yield an unpleasant surprise. Well, the stock closed down 5.6% on news that demand was weak in some markets.

The Motley Fool - Sometimes, through no deliberate fault of their own, companies produce earnings reports that only a hard-core accountant or derivatives freak could love. With gobs of hedging activities, and the resultant impacts on earnings and cash flow, NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG - News) is a company with what I think you could charitably call an 'above-average' difficulty level for individual investors. The odd thing, though, is that this independent power producer could prove to be worth the trouble to analyze.

AP - A New York Stock Exchange seat holder may avoid jail time in connection with allegations that he made a phone call threatening William Higgins, an outspoken critic of the NYSE's planned acquisition of Archipelago Holdings Inc.

Reuters - Regional theme park operator Six Flags Inc. , which is facing a challenge to its management by dissident investors, on Monday said its third-quarter profit rose due to lower taxes.