FT.com - European equity markets crept towards their highest levels since the spell of market turbulence that began on February 27 when Chinese stocks plunged 8 per cent overnight.

FT.com - London equities were flat in opening trade on Wednesday as strength among fund management companies was balanced by weakening high street banks.

AP - Wall Street signaled a slightly higher open Wednesday as investors begin to focus on corporate earnings season with retailer Best Buy Co. slated to report results before the opening bell.

Reuters - Stock futures were little changed on Wednesday before economic data that could shed light on the economy's health and the outlook for profits.

FT.com - A fresh bout of takeover speculation broke out on Wednesday amid rumours of possible bids for Home Retail Group and SSL.

AFP - Europe's major stock markets stablized on Wednesday as falling crude oil prices hit energy stocks, offsetting a bright performance overnight in New York and earlier in Tokyo.

AP - Wall Street appeared headed to a lower opening Wednesday as investors digest economic data, including a disappointing private estimate on U.S. employment. A strong earnings report from electronics retailer Best Buy Co. provided some optimism.

AP - Japanese stocks rose robustly for a second session Wednesday as Wall Street's overnight rally helped lift technology and auto shares.

Reuters - U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday before economic data that could shed light on the economy's health and the outlook for profits.

AP - Circuit City Stores Inc., the nation's second biggest electronics retailer, said Wednesday it lost $12.2 million in its fourth quarter, hurt by hefty restructuring charges related in part to store closings and slow revenue growth.

AP - Monsanto Co., which makes herbicides and genetically modified seeds, said Wednesday robust demand for its corn seeds and technology fueled a 23 percent increase in second-quarter profit.

Reuters - Monsanto Co. posted higher-than-expected second-quarter profit on Wednesday, due largely to continued strong sales of its genetically modified seeds, particularly corn.

AP - Best Buy Co. Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings rose 18.5 percent as it benefited from a combination of strong television sales, installation services, and a quarter that was a week longer than last year.

AP - Japanese stocks rose robustly for a second session Wednesday as Wall Street's overnight rally helped lift technology and auto shares.

AP - Wall Street caught its breath Wednesday after the previous session's big advance, barely moving amid a mix of economic data and a drop in oil prices.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were mixed in choppy trade at midmorning on Wednesday, as a promising start was clipped by a weaker than expected survey of non-manufacturing activity last month.

AP - NYSE Euronext shares slipped in their first day of trading Wednesday following the completion of the $14 billion deal that created the first trans-Atlantic stock exchange. Executives were already talking about making the company even bigger.

AP - Electronics retailer Circuit City Stores Inc. said Wednesday it lost $12.2 million in the fourth quarter, hurt by charges related to store closings and slower sales growth related to falling flat-panel television prices and uneven demand for computer hardware.

AP - Monsanto Co., which makes herbicides and genetically modified seeds, said Wednesday robust demand for its corn seeds and technology fueled a 23 percent increase in second-quarter profit. The company's shares soared nearly 4 percent.

Reuters - Best Buy Co. reported an 18.5 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by sales of flat-panel televisions.

AP - Wall Street caught its breath Wednesday after the previous session's big advance, showing little movement amid a mix of economic data and a drop in oil prices. Bond prices rose sharply as investors brushed off the economic reports and went on a buying spree.

Reuters - Stocks inched higher on Wednesday, led by advances in shares of companies seen positioned to withstand slowing economic growth, including tobacco maker Altria Group Inc. .

AP - Wall Street caught its breath Wednesday after the previous session's big advance, showing little movement amid a mix of economic data and a drop in oil prices. Bond prices rose sharply as investors brushed off the economic reports and went on a buying spree.

Reuters - Stocks were nearly flat on Wednesday as data pointing to services sector weakness and slower-than-expected growth in factory orders revived concerns about the economy, offsetting a drop in oil prices.

AFP - Glitzy American-style casinos, cheap shopping and family entertainment are pulling millions of Chinese tourists to Macau, making it the world's biggest gaming draw -- bigger even than the legendary Las Vegas Strip.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks rose modestly yesterday although the mood was contained by concerns about the economy and earnings.

Reuters - Micron Technology Inc. posted a quarterly loss on Wednesday as falling prices for memory chips and weak demand for image sensors dealt a blow to the top U.S. memory chip maker.

Reuters - Top U.S. memory chip maker Micron Technology Inc. posted a quarterly loss on Wednesday due to falling prices but forecast strong demand for the rest of the year, and its shares rose 4 percent.