AP - Wall Street ended a painful year with another steep loss Monday as investors glumly anticipated that 2008 would bring more of the uncertainty and turbulence of 2007.

FT.com - London equities were higher on the opening trading day of 2008, as a measure of bid speculation centred on Alliance & Leicester helped provide momentum.

FT.com - London equities were mildly positive in opening trade on Thursday, as the heavily-weighted oil sector provided support after the prospect of $100 crude prices moved closer.

FT.com - Japanese stocks plunged Friday on the first day of trading of 2008, closing more than 4 per cent lower at their weakest levels in a year and a half as a slumping dollar and fears of a US recession battered investor confidence.

Reuters - Gulf Arab stock markets will continue to attract foreign investors seeking to tap a regional economic boom even after a rally in the fourth quarter left 'few bargains' on regional bourses, Nomura said on Sunday.

AFP - Fears of a US recession rattled Asian stock markets Monday with most of the region suffering heavy losses in the wake of sharp falls on Wall Street, dealers said.

FT.com - European equity markets bounced on Tuesday led higher by pharmaceutical companies and telecoms stocks as investors continued to favour defensive sectors.

FT.com - London equities fell on Wednesday, with retailers hit hard by Marks & Spencer after it said tough conditions on the UK high street looked set to continue throughout 2008 and missed expectations for peak Christmas trading.

AP - Alcoa Inc., the world's third-largest aluminum maker, kicked off earnings season by posting a 76 percent profit gain for the fourth quarter as the pending sale of its consumer and packaging businesses offset lower prices.

AP - Japan's main stock index fell Friday to a two-year low as investors worried about upcoming earning reports from U.S. financial groups.

Reuters - Flat screen maker LG.Philips LCD Co Ltd (034220.KS) reported its strongest ever quarterly profit on Monday, rebounding from a year-ago loss, as solid demand and tight supplies kept screen prices firm.

TechWeb - Some analysts worry that IBM's unexpectedly strong fourth-quarter results mask weaknesses in the computing giant's business.

FT.com - London equities were expected to fall at the open on Wednesday after sharp losses on Wall Street and in Asia keep the focus firmly on the economy and the outlook for corporate earnings.

FT.com - Persistent worries about the state of the US economy overwhelmed an early rebound in Asian stock markets on Thursday, with many turning lower as afternoon trading began after morning gains driven by bargain-hunting and a firmer dollar.

AP - Asian markets plunged again Friday amid growing fears that the American economy could be headed for a recession after weak U.S. manufacturing figures and an overnight drop on Wall Street.

AP - General Electric Co. delivered some cheer Friday to investors worried about a slowing economy, saying its quarterly profit rose 4 percent and reaffirming its outlook for 2008.

AP - Asian shares fell broadly Monday morning following declines on Wall Street last week amid investor pessimism over the U.S. government's plan to prevent a recession.

AFP - Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama roasted President George W. Bush on the economy Monday, as world stock markets plummeted for a second day on fears of a US recession.

AFP - The annual Davos gathering of the world's political and business elite opens Wednesday with the already gloomy atmosphere further soured by near-panic conditions on world stock markets.

AP - Asian markets rose for a second day Thursday as investors scooped up beaten-down shares, heartened by Wall Street's stunning comeback overnight.

AP - Honeywell International Inc. said late Thursday that fourth-quarter net income rose 18 percent because of growth in all four of its business segments.

AP - Wall Street ended a tumultuous week with a sharp decline Friday, backtracking following two days of stunning gains as investors turned cautious and cashed in some of their winnings. The Dow Jones industrial average still managed to record its first weekly advance of 2008, even as it fell more than 170 points on the day.

AFP - Dirk Mueller is a stockbroker, and thanks to recent market turbulence, also a star, not because of dubious trades or massive losses but because his face was just right for the job.

AP - Asian stocks tumbled Monday as traders took their cues from Wall Street, where persistent worries about a possible U.S. recession sent shares sinking Friday.

AP - Asian stock markets rebounded Tuesday as investors cheered an overnight rally on Wall Street and snapped up beaten down shares on expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut later this week.

Reuters - Honda Motor Co (7267.T) posted a better-than-expected 38 percent rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday, helped by strong global sales of its new CR-V crossover and brisk U.S. demand for the Accord sedan.

AFP - Most Asian stock markets rose Thursday after another sharp US interest rate cut but Japan's rally aside, gains were modest due to worries that a US economic recession still looms.