AP - China Construction Bank, the country's biggest property lender, reported a 2 percent decline in net profit last year following the loss of a tax concession related to its restructuring the year before.

AFP - European equity markets sparkled on Monday, with London's FTSE 100 shares index at the highest level for almost six and a half years as investors spied a potential bidding war for Dutch bank ABN Amro.

Reuters - Stock futures rose on Monday, with investors cheered by news that Sallie Mae, the largest U.S. student loan company, has agreed to be bought by an investor group for $25 billion.

Reuters - Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. said it would take a first-quarter charge of $24.9 million, or 10 cents a share, for expenses from its failed bid for the London Stock Exchange .

Reuters - Mattel Inc. on Monday posted a surprise first-quarter profit as sales of Hot Wheels and Fisher Price toys rose.

Reuters - Stocks were set to open higher on Monday, boosted by news of a $25 billion buyout of student loan company Sallie Mae, solid earnings reports and data pointing to continued strength in consumer spending.

AP - Asian markets advanced strongly Monday, with Japanese stocks lifted by exporters like Toyota and Canon, while Hong Kong's benchmark index jumped 2.1 percent. Markets in Australia, China, Indonesia and South Korea all closed at record highs.

Reuters - Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. said it will take a first-quarter charge of $24.9 million, or 10 cents a share, for expenses from its failed bid for the London Stock Exchange .

FT.com - The prospect of further M&A in the banking sector drove the FTSE 100 to a fresh six-and-a-half year high on Monday.

FT.com - Japanese stocks advanced strongly on Monday in response to a weaker yen, which drove up export-focused stocks.

AP - Wachovia Corp. said Monday its first-quarter earnings rose 33 percent, helped by growth in lending income and the acquisition of Golden West Financial Corp.

AP - First-quarter profit at Citigroup Inc. dropped 11 percent as the nation's largest financial institution took a charge to cover a massive restructuring designed to cut costs and improve earnings. Still, the results announced Monday beat Wall Street expectations.

Reuters - Mattel Inc. posted better-than-expected first-quarter results on Monday as sales of Hot Wheels rose and increased global demand for the Barbie line offset a dip in the United States.

AP - Wall Street began the week with a strong start Monday as better-than-expected profits at Citigroup Inc. and a healthy increase in consumer spending renewed investors' optimism about the economy. The Dow Jones industrials rose nearly 100 points.

FT.com - The prospect of further M&A in the banking sector drove the FTSE 100 to a fresh six-and-a-half year high on Monday.

AP - Wachovia Corp. said Monday its first-quarter earnings rose 33 percent, helped by growth in lending income and the acquisition of Golden West Financial Corp.

AP - Mattel Inc., the world's largest toy maker, said Monday its first-quarter profit slipped 60 percent as the year-ago period benefited from a hefty settlement, but the results beat Wall Street's expectations.

AP - Pharmaceuticals maker Eli Lilly and Co. said Monday its first-quarter earnings slid 39 percent, hurt by charges related to restructuring and an acquisition. But the results exceeded Wall Street forecasts, and the company boosted its full-year financial targets.

FT.com - Wall Street moved slightly higher on Monday, as several earnings results arrived ahead of expectations and Sallie Mae, the student loan lender, agreed to a $25bn buyout.

FT.com - Wall Street was set for a higher start on Monday, as several earnings results arrived ahead of expectations and Sallie Mae, the student loan lender, agreed to a $25bn buyout.

Reuters - Eli Lilly and Co. reported better-than-expected first-quarter profit on Monday amid surging demand for depression treatment Cymbalta and higher sales of other drugs, sending its shares up 2 percent.

Reuters - Diversified manufacturer Eaton Corp. posted a better-than-expected 12.5 percent first-quarter profit gain on strong demand across its businesses and raised its full-year outlook on Monday, sending its shares to an all-time high.

FT.com - US stocks rose sharply on Monday as earnings and deals news, plus better-than-expected March retail sales data, finally pushed the leading averages above levels reached before a slump in late February.

FT.com - The prospect of a takeover battle in the banking sector helped propel European stocks to fresh six-year highs on Monday.

AP - Despite strong growth in revenue, profit at Citigroup Inc. fell 11 percent in the first quarter as the nation's largest financial institution took a charge to cover a massive restructuring aimed at improving earnings.

AP - Mattel Inc. reported lower first-quarter profit Monday but beat Wall Street revenue expectations with strong sales, despite a decline in demand for Barbie dolls in the U.S.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rallied on Monday, completing their recovery from a late February sell-off as Citigroup Inc.'s solid earnings, a deal for lender Sallie Mae and upbeat retail sales data suggested a strong economy.

FT.com - Mitchells & Butlers was in focus yesterday as the FTSE 100 closed at its highest level since September 2000.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rallied on Monday, completing their recovery from a late February sell-off, as Citigroup Inc. reported better-than-expected results, student lender Sallie Mae agreed to be bought and upbeat retail data suggested the economy remained resilient.

Reuters - Fair Isaac Corp. , whose "FICO" credit scores are used by millions of Americans to obtain mortgages and other loans, on Monday cut its quarterly profit and revenue forecasts, sending its shares down more than 10 percent after hours.