AP - European stock markets advanced Monday, led by financials after Barclays PLC became the latest major bank to say it has had a good start to 2009.

AFP - Investors showed signs of fledgling optimism on Monday that the global financial crisis could be starting to ease as Russia unveiled far-reaching plans to overhaul the world economy.

AFP - Stocks in London advanced Monday on positive vibes from the financial sector and investor confidence.

Reuters - Stocks rose for a fifth day in a row on Monday after Barclays joined other major banks in saying it had a strong start for 2009, fueling hopes that the beaten-down sector may be stabilizing.

AP - Wall Street rallied for a fifth straight session Monday after reassuring comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and encouraging news from another big bank. The Dow Jones industrials rose more than 100 points, following other world markets higher.

AP - Wall Street knows it shouldn't get ahead of itself.

AP - Asian stock markets advanced for a second day Monday, with Tokyo's index up nearly 2 percent, on cautious optimism that government pledges to heal the financial system and spur growth will reinvigorate the flagging world economy.

Reuters - Stocks scored their best week since November on Friday as a broker upgraded Merck & Co , saying its deal to buy a rival was shrewd, and Citigroup said it did not need any more government aid.

AP - A comeback in bank shares handed the stock market its best week since November as fears eased that major financial institutions would collapse or require additional government lifelines. Market veterans were quick to rein in hopes that the market would chart an uninterrupted recovery but many still saw the four straight days of gains a good sign.

AP - A sharp rebound in bank shares and easing worries about the economy pushed stocks to their best week since late November.