Reuters - The London Stock Exchange plans to set up a pan-European, off-bourse trading platform with Lehman Brothers , the groups said, to fend off start-up rivals hurting LSE's business.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets rose on Wednesday with the focus on the banking sector after Barclays convinced Asian and Middle Eastern investors to snap up new shares being offered by the British lender.

Reuters - The state's highest court on Wednesday sided with former New York Stock Exchange chief Richard Grasso in his efforts to throw out key parts of a lawsuit seeking the return of more than $100 million of his pay.

Reuters - Stocks added to gains on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held a key interest rate steady.

Reuters - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index turned positive on Wednesday afternoon as strong financials overshadowed falling resource shares shortly after the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, as expected.

AP - Stocks gained Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and issued a mixed but unsurprising assessment of the economy.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Tuesday, on concerns about the economy after a report showed consumer confidence hit a 16-year low and as a profit warning from United Parcel Service stoked fears about corporate results.

Reuters - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index shed nearly 2 percent on Tuesday, dragged down by skidding resource issues amid investor concerns over the long-term prospects for oil demand.

AP - Wall Street ended an erratic session moderately lower Tuesday as concerns grew about the impact of high fuel costs on consumers and corporate profits. Treasury prices rose on the economic uncertainty.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets slid on Tuesday as oil prices shot higher toward record highs.

AFP - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to propose rules that may diminish the traditional weight credit ratings carry in many markets, The Wall Street Journal reported online Tuesday.