AFP - French pharmaceutical group Sanofi-Aventis has slashed its 2006 earnings per share forecast from 12 percent to just two percent due to competition for its blockbuster blood-thinner Plavix from a generic drug.

Reuters - Nasdaq Stock Market Inc is considering making a hostile bid for the London Stock Exchange , in which it has amassed a stake of over 25 percent, weekly UK newspaper The Observer said on Sunday, without citing any sources.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - It could be a volatile week for stock markets as traders get back to their desks from vacation and prepare to take in data that will hopefully give further indications of the steepness of the U.S. economic slowdown.

Reuters - There has been no recent contact from Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. over a possible fresh bid for the London Stock Exchange, LSE Chairman Chris Gibson-Smith said on Tuesday.

Reuters - The Nikkei average fell 0.62 percent on Wednesday as Softbank Corp. (9984.T) and Yahoo Japan Corp. (4689.T) declined on a bearish broker report from Credit Suisse, while recent gainers such as Canon Inc. (7751.T) also came under pressure.

Reuters - The Nikkei average fell 1.5 percent by midmorning on Thursday with blue-chip issues weak amid concerns over the U.S. economy and Sony Corp. down on a delay in the European launch of its video game console.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Global indicators were mostly positive for North American stock markets early Friday while oil prices fell below US$67 a barrel.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Stock markets will likely find it tough slogging this week following a series of losing sessions last week and investors likely to express continued concern about the health of the U.S. economy.

Reuters - The Nikkei average fell 1.78 percent on Monday to its lowest close in two weeks as surprisingly weak machinery orders data spurred selling of machinery shares such as Fanuc Ltd. (6954.T).

AP - U.S. stock futures edged lower after the U.S. embassy in Syria was attacked by several gunmen, with investors also looking ahead to data on the U.S. trade deficit.

Reuters - The Nikkei average rose 0.64 percent by midafternoon on Wednesday on gains in chip stocks including Advantest Corp but falls in metal stocks due to lower commodities prices curbed gains.

Reuters - The Nikkei average rose 1.22 percent on Thursday as Wall Street's gains fueled buying of exporters such as Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and a rebound in crude oil and other commodities prices lifted trading houses such as Mitsubishi Corp.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Global indicators were mostly positive for North American stock markets early Friday while Ford Motor announced major job cuts in an accelerated restructuring plan.

AFP - Companies listed on France's CAC 40 stock index have raked in record earnings in the first half of this year, boosted by strong international trade, but analysts warned that second half growth could slow.

FT.com - Early attention focused on Scania after the Swedish truckmaker rejected a EU9.6bn offer from MAN as European equity markets made a cautious start on Monday on a light day for corporate earnings releases and economic data.

Reuters - The Nikkei average ended nearly flat on Tuesday as exporters rose on a weaker yen, but gains were capped as Lehman Brothers lowered its rating on Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (4502.T) and the drug sector.

AP - Oracle Corp.'s surprisingly strong quarter helped steer U.S. stock market futures on a rebound path on Wednesday, though with a Federal Reserve interest-rate decision on tap, gains were limited.

Reuters - The Nikkei average gained 0.7 percent on Thursday, rebounding from Wednesday's five-week closing low, as investors were lured to Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (4063.T) and other companies with earnings prospects.

BusinessWeek Online - FedEx Corp. on Sept. 21 reported stronger than expected quarterly earnings results, while expressing confidence in both its own and the U.S. economy's growth prospects. However, its stock fell after the company issued guidance that was below consensus analyst forecasts.

TechWeb - The business intelligence vendor says earnings and sales of software licenses dipped in the fiscal second quarter.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Investors will be looking to United States housing data to set the tone for stock trading this week, after disappointing U.S. indicators dragged the Toronto market down amid fears that an economic slowdown will move north.

Reuters - The Nikkei average was little changed on Monday afternoon, as shares of KDDI Corp. (9433.T) and some other recent losers gained on the assumption their prices had fallen too far, while shares of real estate firms were hit by profit-taking.

Reuters - U.S. shares are expected to open weaker on Tuesday, giving back some of the previous session's gains, as oil rebounded above $61 a barrel and amid caution ahead of a consumer confidence report.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Global indicators were strongly positive for North American stock markets early Wednesday while crude oil prices rose.

Reuters - U.S. stock futures were little changed on Thursday ahead of a revision of second quarter U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) data, with investors also wondering if the Dow can set a new record close in the coming session.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Global indicators were mostly positive for North American stock markets early Friday, ahead of Canada's gross domestic product report, due at 8:30 a.m. ET