AP - Most Asian stock markets gained modestly Tuesday after more encouraging signs that the global recession is starting to let up.

AP - European stock markets edged down Tuesday as investors booked profits from the previous session, when optimism reigned following stronger than expected manufacturing news from around the globe.

Reuters - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Wall Street on Tuesday as investors awaited key housing data a day after the S&P 500 index jumped to its highest close in seven months.

AFP - London's stock market fell on Tuesday, hit by news that Abu Dhabi will sell a large stake in Barclays bank, while other European markets steadied after recent sharp gains.

AP - European stock markets recouped earlier modest losses Tuesday as Wall Street was expected to hold Monday's gains at the open amid ongoing optimism about the state of the world economy.

AP - Wall Street is looking to hold on to its massive gains Tuesday, hoping for positive news on the housing industry.

Bloomberg - June 2 (Bloomberg) -- Christopher Cox, in one of his last acts as Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, took Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator to task in a letter questioning whether the agency was upholding its legal duty to “preserve and conserve” the mortgage companies’ assets.

Reuters - Pepsi Bottling Group raised its second-quarter earnings view by 5 cents, helped by a growing demand for soft drinks in the US and lower commodity prices.

AP - Investors are gently adding to their gains a day after rushing into the stock market.

Bloomberg - June 2 (Bloomberg) -- Christopher Cox, in one of his last acts as Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, took Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator to task in a letter questioning whether the agency was upholding its legal duty to “preserve and conserve” the mortgage companies’ assets.

Reuters - Dollar General Corp reported a sharply higher quarterly profit on Tuesday, as cost-conscious consumers flocked to the discount retailer's stores for bargains in the recession.

AP - Investors are holding onto their gains a day after rushing into the stock market.

Reuters - Clinton-era Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Arthur Levitt has signed on as an advisor to Goldman Sachs Group Inc , the Wall Street firm announced on Tuesday.

Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is creating a position of chief operating officer to help manage the agency and improve internal operations, SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro said on Tuesday.

Reuters - Organic and natural foods distributor United Natural Foods Inc's quarterly profit beat market expectations on tighter expense control and lower fuel costs, and the company raised its 2009 earnings outlook.

Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is creating a chief operating officer job to tighten management of the agency, which has been criticized by lawmakers for failing to detect the Bernard Madoff investor fraud and other lapses.

AP - Financial stocks came under pressure Tuesday as several big banks scrambled to raise capital to help repay government bailout funds. A negative outlook on the sector from Moody's also weighed on stocks.

Reuters - Data suggests that the U.S. ban on short selling of financial stocks in 2008 did not impact stock prices, the chief executive of exchange operator Nasdaq OMX Group Inc told business leaders on Tuesday.

AFP - The London stock market wobbled on Tuesday as Barclays led the banking sector lower on news that Abu Dhabi will sell a large part of its stake in the British banking giant.

AP - Losses at U.S. thrifts narrowed considerably in the first quarter, but the number of institutions in trouble increased, the Office of Thrift Supervision said Tuesday.

AP - Investors are gingerly adding to their gains a day after rushing into the stock market.

AP - Investors slowed their move into the market from a sprint to a walk.

Reuters - Clinton-era Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt has signed on as an advisor to Goldman Sachs Group Inc , the Wall Street firm said on Tuesday.

AP - Stocks tacked on modest gains Tuesday to extend a rally to a fourth day following a strong rise in pending home sales, the latest encouraging signal for the troubled housing market.

AP - Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. says it trimmed its fiscal second-quarter loss versus a year ago as the homebuilder slashed prices to woo reluctant buyers but had to absorb losses from the declining value of land and other assets.

Investor's Business Daily - Foreign stock funds -- led by emerging markets -- eclipsed U.S. stock funds by a wide swath in May. U.S. equity funds on average rose 4.81%, following an 11.19% leap in April, according to Lipper Inc. They're ahead 6.12% so far in 2009.