AP - Most Asian stock markets drifted higher Wednesday, but many investors held back for clues to whether the recent rally would resume or continue to peter out.

AP - Most Asian stock markets dropped sharply Wednesday, with Shanghai's index tumbling as much as 5 percent, amid concerns the recent rally was petering out.

AP - World stocks lurched lower Wednesday, with Shanghai's index tumbling as much as 5 percent, as this year's powerful rally started to peter out amid concerns the markets were overheating.

AFP - Oil retreated to below 70 dollars a barrel in Asian trade Wednesday as regional stock markets slipped following a sharp fall in Chinese shares.

AP - World markets sank Wednesday as investors were spooked by sharp losses in China that strengthened fears stocks are now overpriced after this year's powerful rally. U.S. markets were also set to open lower.

Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a fall of about 1 percent on Wednesday as a drop in Chinese shares prompted renewed selling in global equity markets on fears stock prices have outpaced the economic recovery.

AFP - World oil prices sank under 69 dollars on Wednesday as traders fretted over fresh losses on global stock markets ahead of the latest weekly US energy reserves report.

Reuters - Shares of Deere & Co rose 2.7 percent to $46.32 in premarket trading on Wednesday, after the company reported its third-quarter results.

AFP - European equities slid on Wednesday as financial markets endured a roller-coaster week amid uncertainty surrounding the economic recovery, traders said.

AP - BJ's Wholesale Club said Wednesday its second-quarter profit dipped 4 percent from year-ago results that were boosted by a tax settlement, but the warehouse club chain beat analysts' estimates and raised its full-year profit outlook.

AP - Deere & Co., the world's largest maker of farm equipment, said Wednesday its fiscal third-quarter profit dropped 27 percent as the global economic slowdown continued to depress sales of its products. But the results easily beat Wall Street expectations, sending its shares up in premarket trading.

Reuters - BJ's Wholesale Club reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday on improved margins, and the warehouse club operator raised its profit outlook for the year.

AP - Solar cell maker Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. on Wednesday posted a second-quarter loss driven by one-time charges, sending shares tumbling in premarket trading.

Reuters - BJ's Wholesale Club reported a smaller-than-expected decline in quarterly profit on Wednesday and raised its full-year profit outlook, helped by improved margins and expense controls.

AP - J.M. Smucker Co. reports earnings for its fiscal first quarter on Friday before the market opens. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

AP - Greek drybulk shipper Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter earnings sank 72 percent as contract rates for its vessels plummeted.

AP - Clothing maker Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. said Wednesday that its second-quarter profit fell 9.1 percent but still topped Wall Street's profit and revenue forecasts, and the company boosted its outlook.

AP - Harman International Industries Inc. said Wednesday it posted losses for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year, though adjusted results for the manufacturer of audio and other products for automotive and consumer markets beat Wall Street estimates.

AP - Communications equipment maker JDS Uniphase Corp. on Wednesday reported a wider fourth-quarter loss, felled by restructuring charges and a 29 percent decline in revenue as the economic slump curbed business equipment spending.

Reuters - Data storage equipment maker NetApp Inc reported a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street estimates, but shares fell in extended trade as some investors had been expecting an even bigger beat.

AP - Data storage company NetApp Inc. said Wednesday its fiscal first-quarter profit grew even as revenue inched lower, as proceeds from the cancellation of its failed buyout of Data Domain helped boost results.

Reuters - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.4 percent on Thursday, boosted by energy shares such as Nippon Oil after crude jumped over 4 percent on a fall in U.S. stockpiles, renewing hopes of economic recovery.

AP - Corus Bankshares Inc. said Wednesday it got a notice from the Nasdaq stock market that it's out of compliance with rules for listing its stock after failing to file a quarterly financial report on time.

Reuters - Data storage equipment maker NetApp Inc reported a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street estimates, but shares fell in extended trade as the company named a new chief executive and failed to forecast results for the current quarter.

AP - Restaurant operator AFC Enterprises Inc. said Wednesday that its second-quarter profit fell 3 percent as sales dipped.

AP - Semiconductor maker Semtech Corp. said Wednesday its fiscal 2010 second-quarter earnings fell 36 percent on lower sales and interest income.