AP - Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading Wednesday ahead of U.S. government inventory data expected to show gasoline stocks fell for the fourth week in a row.

Reuters - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK), Asia's third-largest carrier, posted a better-than-expected 24 percent rise in net profit on Wednesday but warned that fuel price volatility could weigh in 2007.

FT.com - London equities fell on Wednesday, as 10 blue-chip stocks traded without further rights to their latest dividend payments.

FT.com - European stocks edged higher on Wednesday thanks to a strong performance on Wall Street overnight, but gains were capped after a mixed session in Asia.

AFP - Asian stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday, extending a tentative recovery as investors went fishing for bargains after Wall Street rebounded following a week of losses.

AFP - Adidas, the world's number two supplier of sportswear and equipment, said Wednesday that it had met all its targets for 2006, but expected earnings growth to slow this year because of difficulties at US unit Reebok.

AP - Oil prices edged higher Wednesday ahead of U.S. government inventory data expected to show gasoline stocks fell for the fourth week in a row.

AP - U.S. Treasury prices fell Tuesday, as stock markets mounted a comeback and despite weaker-than-expected housing data earlier in the day.

FT.com - London equities held up on Wednesday despite the FTSE 100 losing 29 points as a host of leading financial stocks traded without rights to the latest dividend payments.

AFP - European stock markets were broadly higher on on Wednesday, but London shares fell as investors digested a weak showing in Tokyo and Hong Kong despite a rebound in New York overnight.

Reuters - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK), Asia's third-largest carrier, posted a better-than-expected 49 percent rise in second-half earnings as passenger revenue rose and said it would increase fuel hedging to combat oil price volatility in 2007.

AP - Oil prices edged higher Wednesday ahead of U.S. government inventory data expected to show gasoline stocks fell for the fourth week in a row.

AFP - World oil prices climbed on Wednesday on expectations that the US government will reveal falls in stockpiles of US energy later in the day and amid firmer global equity markets, analysts said.

AP - Saks Inc., parent of the tony Saks Fifth Avenue department store chain, on Wednesday posted a fourth-quarter profit, reversing a year-ago loss, as sales climbed 17 percent on improved customer traffic.

AP - Wholesale-store operator BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. said Wednesday its fiscal fourth-quarter profit fell 77 percent, hurt by restructuring-related expenses.

AP - Stocks were little changed Wednesday as investors tried to determine whether the previous session's rally had legs and would continue or whether the pessimism that pressed investors into selling for much of the past week would win out.

AP - U.S. stocks appeared headed for a moderately lower opening Wednesday, one day after Wall Street had sharp gains following a week of mostly heavy selling. Overseas markets, which have held greater sway than normal on Wall Street in the last week, offered a mixed picture to U.S. investors.

AP - Oil prices jumped by more than $1 per barrel Wednesday, after the U.S. government reported an unexpected drop in crude oil inventories last week.

AP - BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. on Wednesday reported its fourth-quarter profit plunged 77 percent, and the newly named CEO of the nation's third-biggest retail warehouse club said his plans to revamp merchandise and pricing will yield improvements later this year.

Reuters - American Eagle Outfitters Inc. posted quarterly profit that met expectations but its outlook failed to impress investors, who sent the shares down more than 3 percent.

AP - Saks Inc., parent of the tony Saks Fifth Avenue department store chain, on Wednesday posted a fourth-quarter profit, reversing a year-ago loss, as sales climbed 17 percent on improved customer traffic.

AFP - European stock markets extended gains on Wednesday in line with most Asian indices, following a week of traumatic losses to global equities, but Wall Street paused for breath following a rally.

AP - Oil prices jumped by more than $1 per barrel Wednesday, after the U.S. government reported an unexpected drop in crude oil inventories amid the lowest import levels since 2005.

AFP - Wall Street closed modestly lower Wednesday, but stock markets in Europe and much of Asia extended a rally after a week of punishing losses in global equities.

AP - Stocks moved sideways Wednesday as investors tried to determine whether the previous session's rally had legs and might continue or whether the pessimism that pressed investors into selling for much of the past week would win out.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were becalmed at midday on Wednesday as cautious investors paused for breath after a tumultuous week.

AP - Oil prices jumped by more than $1 per barrel Wednesday after the U.S. government reported an unexpected drop in crude inventories amid the lowest import levels since 2005.

AP - Digital video recording service provider TiVo Inc. posted a narrower fourth-quarter loss Wednesday, beating Wall Street expectations.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks flicked in and out of positive territory on Wednesday before closing lower as energy companies fell from early highs.

FT.com - Japanese stocks meandered through the morning on light volumes and directionless trading. A return to wider market confidence remains elusive and the benchmark indexes dipped slightly going into the lunch break.