Reuters - European shares hit new 2-1/2 year highs on Friday, with British Airways up 1 percent after it raised its revenue outlook and beat forecasts, and with the market focusing on U.S. employment data due later in the day.

Reuters - The multimillion-dollar compensation package of former New York Stock Exchange chairman Richard Grasso was calculated in part using an average of the compensation of some of the most highly compensated chief executives in the United States.

AP - Investors found some reassurance in weak job growth figures, and sent stocks sharply higher on a bet that the numbers will prompt Federal Reserve to be less aggressive in raising interest rates. The Dow Jones industrials climbed more than 120 points as Wall Street had its best week of 2005.

Reuters - The dollar hit a three-month high against the euro and closed in on a one-month peak versus the yen on Monday after China told the world's richest nations that it was committed to revaluing its currency but would not do so soon.

AP - Electronic Data Systems Corp. returned to profitability to close out 2004, but the technology consultant reported weak revenues and warned that earnings this year will be far more meager than expected.

Reuters - European share indexes clawed their way to fresh 31-month highs on Wednesday, buoyed by a batch of mostly solid earnings and renewed interest in media stocks and a jump for Hewlett-Packard Co. shares.

Reuters - Tokyo's Nikkei was up 0.7 percent by late trade on Thursday as brokerages ISECU.rallied over 3.5 percent on news of a possible merger between Daiwa Securities Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

AP - Dell Inc. set a record for sales and topped Wall Street's earnings expectations in the fourth quarter, but the personal computer juggernaut indicated that revenue for early 2005 could fall short of analysts' predictions.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto stock market continues on a roll thanks to a resource sector that just won't quit while U.S. indexes are flat at best.

Reuters - Tokyo's Nikkei share average rose 0.88 percent in morning trading on Monday and was poised to hit a 7-

Reuters - European share indexes opened steady near 32-month highs on Tuesday, mirroring a flat performance from U.S. blue chips overnight, but home appliance maker Electrolux jumped as results topped forecasts.

AP - Investors cautiously bid stocks higher Tuesday, pleased by growth in retail sales but wary about Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's congressional testimony starting Wednesday. The Dow Jones industrials and Standard & Poor's 500 index reached new 2005 highs.

Reuters - The dollar traded in narrow ranges on Thursday as the market gave a muted reaction to Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's indication the previous day that U.S. interest rates would continue to rise.

Reuters - Tokyo's Nikkei average edged up 0.25 percent by midsession on Friday, as gains in stocks with good earnings prospects offset falls in some techs such as Tokyo Electron Ltd. following a drop by their U.S. peers.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Stock markets may be in for another week of lopsided action as Toronto's TSX continues to shine while New York indexes remain rangebound as investors worry about American inflation and interest rates.

Reuters - Japanese stocks closed virtually unchanged on Monday as drops in several tech shares canceled out gains in drug makers following reports that Sankyo Co. and Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co. plan to merge.

Reuters - European shares dipped on Tuesday as Spanish oil major Repsol fell heavily after reporting results well short of forecasts due to a big exceptional charge.

AP - A nearly 6 percent spike in crude oil prices sent stocks plunging Tuesday, as investors already concerned about rising prices and inflation envisioned a repeat of last summer's selloff on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 174 points, its biggest point drop since mid-2003.

Reuters - The Nikkei share average rose 0.39 percent by late trade on Thursday, gaining for the first time in four days as higher metal prices lifted Toho Zinc Co., and as earnings optimism helped steel makers bounce higher.

Reuters - Tokyo's Nikkei average rose 1.2 percent by mid-afternoon on Friday as semiconductor stocks such as Advantest Corp. followed U.S. peers' strong lead while buyers also chased firms expected to pay higher dividends.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto stock market looks set for more gains on the back of the commodities sector with analysts believing the lifting of foreign content restrictions on investments for retirement income won't make a difference to TSX performance.

Reuters - The yen jumped against the dollar and the euro on Monday after data showed Japanese industrial output posted stronger growth than expected in January, suggesting the economy may be pulling out of last year's slump.