Investor's Business Daily - The diversified manufacturer's Q4 EPS rose 30% to 79 cents, missing by a cent, despite double-digit growth in its welding, electronics, industrial packaging and measurement businesses. Revenue rose 11% to $4.17 bil, beating views. Operating margin expanded from 12.7% to 13.9%. Illinois Tool Works sees Q1 EPS of 81-87 cents, above views, and full-year EPS of $3.60-$3.84, the midpoint above views. Shares fell 2.2% to 53.49.

Reuters - The top attorney for the U.S. securities regulator was advised not to recuse himself from handling Bernard Madoff matters for the agency, even though his family's estate had invested with the swindler.

Reuters - The wealthy Texas brothers Samuel and Charles Wyly on Thursday lost their bid to dismiss a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit accusing them of orchestrating a $550 million securities fraud and committing insider trading.

Investor's Business Daily - The maker of Singulair for asthma and allergies said Q1 earnings rose 11% to 92 cents a share, 8 cents over forecasts. Sales edged up 1% to $11.58 bil, also topping views. It sees 2011 EPS of $3.66-$3.76, the midpoint above analyst consensus of $3.69. The results suggest Merck's drug sales and cost savings from acquiring Schering-Plough in late 2009 are paying off. Analyst firm Edward Jones said that should help Merck overcome future drug patent losses and raise its dividend. Merck edged up 0.5%.

Reuters - A Securities and Exchange Commission employee invested in a company accused of preying on deaf people and misled fellow investors into thinking their money was safe despite an SEC probe.

Investor's Business Daily - China is quietly chasing deals with Brazil, Russia and other big emerging-market stock exchanges to allow cross-listings, part of its drive to turn Shanghai into a financial center rivaling New York.

AP - Investors around the world were less on edge Sunday after President Barack Obama said an agreement had been reached to raise the federal government's borrowing limit and avoid a possible U.S. debt default.

AP - Stocks are sharply higher in midday trading for the second day in a row.

Reuters - Toronto's main stock index dipped lower on Wednesday morning, pressured by falling commodity prices, as uncertainty over Europe's debt crisis again dogged the market.

AP - More than 1,000 demonstrators speaking out against corporate greed and social inequality took their protest to the New York Police Department headquarters Friday.

AP - Asian stock markets fell Tuesday as new concerns emerged about the viability of a much-heralded plan to contain Europe's debt crisis.

Reuters - Getco LLC, an electronic market maker and high-frequency trading specialist, on Wednesday said it agreed to buy Bank of America Corp's floor-trading operations at the New York Stock Exchange, significantly expanding its market-making operations.

Reuters - Amazon.com Inc warned of a possible operating loss in the first quarter following a sharp drop in fourth-quarter profit, a sign that the online retailer is continuing to spend heavily on expansion and new ventures at the expense of shorter-term profits.

AP - Australia's largest telecommunications company, Telstra Corp., has reported a 23 percent first-half profit increase to $1.47 billion ($1.58 billion) over the same period a year earlier.