FT.com - Banking stocks pulled London equities into negative territory on Monday, as investors took profits after the sector's strong run on persistent bid rumour. But more concrete M&A activity sent the house building sector higher, limiting losses.

AP - U.S. stocks headed toward a moderately higher opening Monday as investors awaited data that could help indicate whether a downturn in the housing market will undermine overall economic growth.

Reuters - Stock futures edged higher on Monday, with the market gaining support from a brokerage upgrade of computer maker Dell Inc. and an improved forecast from Kimberly Clark Corp.

FT.com - Merger activity among housebuilders sector provided a foundation for gains for the FTSE on Monday. The bluechip index initially moved lower as oil prices rose to a new high for the year but reversed its early weakness, led the gains among housebuilders following news of an agreed merger between housebuilders George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow.

AP - Chinese stocks rose to a fresh record Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index topping 3,100 for the first time on lively demand from securities funds and strong 2006 corporate earnings results.

Reuters - Walgreen Co. , one of the largest U.S. drugstore chains, posted a higher quarterly profit on Monday, boosted by new stores and strong sales of prescription medications.

AP - Wall Street slid Monday after an unexpected drop in new home sales for February triggered further concern that economic growth is slowing more than expected.

Reuters - Stocks fell sharply on Monday after weaker-than-expected data on new home sales underscored worries about weakness in the housing market.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were set for a flat start on Monday as investors awaited data on new home sales and considered reports of Citigroup (NYSE:C) planning big job cuts.

AP - Walgreen Co., the nation's largest drugstore chain by revenue, on Monday said fiscal second-quarter net income rose nearly 25 percent as sales at established stores increased on the strength of a strong retail prescription business.

FT.com - Merger activity among housebuilders sector provided a talking point for investors in London on Monday but the FTSE surrendered early gains and slipped lower by the close after disappointing US new home sales data led to a weak start on Wall Street.

Reuters - Stocks fell sharply on Monday after weaker-than-expected data on new home sales rekindled worries about economic growth and the outlook for profits.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks fell sharply on Monday as unexpected fall in new home sales last month spooked investors.

AP - Walgreen Co. said Monday that its second-quarter earnings climbed 24.5 percent as sales increased on the strength of a robust retail prescription business.

FT.com - European stocks proved unable to extend a five-session run of gains on Monday as disappointing US housing data unsettled investors. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 index fell 13.5 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 1,510.21.

AP - Stocks fell Monday after a surprise drop in new home sales for February triggered further concern that economic growth is slowing more than expected. The Dow Jones industrials at times showed losses of more than 100 points.

Reuters - Stocks slid on Monday, putting the Dow industrials on course to snap a five-day string of gains, as weaker-than-expected new-home sales data and higher crude oil prices fanned worries about economic growth and profits.

FT.com - The FTSE 100 came back to earth with a bump Monday. Unnerved by more gloomy news from the US housing market, the blue chip index closed lower for the first time in six sessions as investors rushed to bank profits made last week.