AP - Wall Street barreled higher Thursday after a better-than-expected reading on the gross domestic product and a drop in jobless claims gave investors some reassurance that the economy is holding up. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped more than 200 points.

AFP - European stock markets steadied on Thursday in subdued trade that focused on the banking sector after overnight gains in New York and earlier in Tokyo, dealers said.

Reuters - Shares of MBIA Inc. jumped before the open on Thursday after the bond insurer agreed in a deal to reinsure $184 billion of municipal bonds backed by its rival FGIC Corp.

AP - Stocks extended their advance Thursday after a better-than-expected reading on the nation's economy and a drop in jobless claims. The major indexes rose about 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which gained nearly 200 points.

Reuters - Stocks rallied on Thursday, led by major industrial and financial companies, as oil prices eased and data showed the economy grew more quickly than expected in the second quarter.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday as surprisingly strong data on durable goods orders soothed some concern about the sluggish economy while Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac led a rally in financial shares.

AP - Wall Street posted a sizable advance Wednesday after the government reported a larger-than-expected increase in orders for big-ticket manufactured goods that indicated the economy could be stronger than some investors thought.

Reuters - Chinese central government departments misused or mismanaged more than 46 billion yuan ($6.73 billion) last year, including using disaster relief money to build government offices and diverting funds to speculate in stocks, the National Audit Office said on Thursday.

AFP - European stock markets declined on Wednesday, with automakers hit by the rising cost of crude oil, and amid ongoing jitters about the impact of the global credit crunch, dealers said.

AFP - London shares closed higher on Wednesday, lifted out of earlier losses by an upbeat report on the US manufacturing sector which helped allay fears about the economic outlook, and amid a surge in oil prices.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday, led by a rally in financial shares, after surprisingly strong data on durable goods orders soothed some concern about the economy.