FT.com - Japanese stocks fell mildly on Thursday, succumbing to profit-taking after strong rises in the previous session.

FT.com - London equities were flat on Thursday, ahead of the Bank of England's decision on UK interest rates. Although the latest Reuters poll of economists forecast a rate rise in May rather than April, there was an air of caution with some predictions of a 25 basis point hike this time around.

Reuters - Stock futures pointed to a flat open on Thursday, with the market likely to pause after recent gains and before Friday's employment report for March that should shed light on the economy and the profit outlook.

FT.com - London equities were given a boost on Thursday as the Bank of England chose to keep UK interest rates on hold.

AP - U.S. stock futures fell Thursday, pointing to a lower opening of regular stock trading, as investors were expected to shore up positions before a three-day weekend.

AFP - Europe's major stock markets mainly fell on Thursday in subdued trade ahead of the Easter holiday weekend and British interest rate call.

BusinessWeek Online - After the U.S. Justice Dept. and Internal Revenue Service said they were suing 24 people at five Jackson Hewitt Tax Services franchises for depriving the Treasury of $70 million on Apr. 3, the company's stock price tumbled 18%. But the stock recovered some ground Apr. 4 after Jackson Hewitt emphasized that the lawsuit involves only a sliver of its business, and one analyst reportedly upgraded the stock following its plunge. Market players bid up the shares by 8.9% to $28.89 on the New York Stock Exchange Apr. 4.

AP - Wine and spirits producer and marketer Constellation Brands Inc. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit grew 26 percent, as strong wine sales helped offset a drop in sales of imported beer and competition in the British market.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were mixed at mid-morning on Thursday, with investors in a cautious mood ahead of monthly employment data due on Friday when the market will be closed in observance of Easter.

AP - Wall Street was narrowly mixed Thursday as investors paused from recent gains and before the release of key employment figures used to gauge the overall economy.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were set for a mixed start on Thursday, with investors in a cautious mood ahead of monthly employment data due on Friday when the market will be closed in observance of Easter.

AP - Constellation Brands Inc., the world's biggest wine maker, said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit grew 26 percent, as strong wine sales helped offset heightened competition in Britain and a drop in sales of imported beer.

Reuters - Constellation Brands Inc. posted a quarterly profit that topped estimates on Thursday, as a lower-than-expected tax rate offset a decline in operating margin due to higher material costs and pricing pressure in Britain's wine market.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were slightly firmer in early afternoon trade on Thursday, with investors in a cautious mood ahead of monthly employment data due on Friday when the market will be closed in observance of Easter.

AP - Wall Street edged higher in light pre-holiday trading Thursday as investors, awaiting the release of March employment figures, remained cautiously optimistic after their recent buying streak.

AP - Wall Street edged higher in light pre-holiday trading Thursday as investors, awaiting the release of March employment figures, remained cautiously optimistic after their recent buying streak.

Reuters - Competing proposals on allocating stock symbols have been received by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, with the New York Stock Exchange wanting to guard shorter stock identifiers from being used by Nasdaq-listed companies.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks were slightly firmer in mid-afternoon trade on Thursday, with investors in a cautious mood ahead of monthly employment data due on Friday when the market will be closed in observance of Easter.

AP - Wall Street ended a winning, holiday-shortened week with a quiet advance Thursday as investors awaited the release of March employment figures and remained cautiously optimistic after their recent buying streak. For the week, the major indexes showed gains each day and returned to positive territory for the year.

Reuters - U.S. stocks ended higher in light trading on Thursday, as a decline in oil prices and a proposed takeover of automaker Chrysler overcame caution before jobs data that held back share prices earlier.

FT.com - Wall Street stocks rose modestly on Thursday, with investors in a cautious mood ahead of monthly employment data due on Friday when the market will be closed in observance of Easter.

Reuters - U.S. stocks closed higher on Thursday, as a decline in oil prices and a proposed takeover of automaker Chrysler tempered caution before jobs data.

AP - Wall Street ended a winning, holiday-shortened week with a quiet advance Thursday as investors awaited the release of March employment figures and remained cautiously optimistic after their recent buying streak. For the week, the major indexes showed gains each day and returned to positive territory for the year.

Investor's Business Daily - 1 With earnings season just getting started, analysts expect S&P 500 firms to report gains in the mid-single digits, ending a long string of double-digit increases. Subprime woes are adding to housing's problems while also weighing on lenders. Technology doesn't look as good as many experts had hoped.

Investor's Business Daily - Electronic Arts capitalized on the booming video game industry and built an empire. Its EA Sports franchise, along with long-running titles such as "The Need For Speed" and "The Sims" series, are revered by gamers worldwide.