Reuters - Stocks extended gains on Wednesday as investors scooped up financial and technology shares, and Merck & Co benefited from a brokerage upgrade.

Reuters - U.S. bank stocks fell on Tuesday after reports that the Obama administration might charge banks more than $100 billion made investors worry about the sector's profits.

Reuters - U.S. stocks slid in a broad selloff on Tuesday as investors pummeled financials on concerns about a potential government levy on banks, while Alcoa Inc's disappointing results tempered optimism about the economic recovery.

AP - Investors are suffering another bout of pessimism about the strength of the global economic recovery and the health of U.S. banks.

AFP - Japan Airlines shares plunged by 81 percent to just seven yen (eight US cents) on Wednesday, hit by a flood of sell orders on fears the ailing carrier will be delisted from the bourse.

Reuters - China's monetary tightening and disappointing corporate earnings put downward pressure on world stocks on Wednesday, combining to present investors with two of their biggest concerns.

AP - World stock markets retreated Wednesday as China's move to curb its torrent of bank lending spurred fears of slower economic recoveries in other countries.

AFP - European stock markets fell sharply Tuesday as investors reacted to weak earnings data from US aluminium producer Alcoa, which kicked off the latest results season in the world's biggest economy.

AP - World stock markets mostly fell Tuesday after aluminum company Alcoa Inc. kicked off the fourth quarter U.S. corporate reporting season with disappointing earnings and China tightened monetary policy once again.

AFP - The leading stock exchange fell on Tuesday as investors reacted to weak earnings data from US aluminium producer Alcoa, which kicked off the latest results season in the world's biggest economy.