Reuters - Japanese stocks struck a four-month closing high on Friday and higher-yielding currencies held gains as investors favored riskier assets, with improvements in Chinese manufacturing and South Korean exports adding to evidence of a global economy on the mend.

AP - Japan's stock market rose to a four-month high while shares in Australia edged down in quiet trading Friday, with most of the region's markets closed and investors awaiting key events in the coming week.

Reuters - Global stock markets jumped more than one percent on Thursday to their highest since early January as investors bet on a stabilization of the ailing world economy and took heart from some upbeat corporate earnings.

AP - World stock markets rose sharply Thursday even though the World Health Organization warned that a swine flu pandemic was imminent, as investors warmed instead to the Federal Reserve's suggestion that the worst of the recession in the U.S. may be over.

AFP - World stock markets rallied on Thursday as investors focused on hopes of a global economic recovery despite deepening fears about a possible swine flu pandemic.

AFP - Oil prices advanced on Thursday, taking their lead from rising stock markets, despite stubborn concerns that swine flu could dent global economic growth and energy demand, dealers said.

AFP - Shares in London posted gains for a second straight day on Thursday as banks again led the way.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Thursday, but were well off session highs, as investors sought to reconcile upbeat corporate profits and reassuring job market data with anxiety about Chrysler LLC's bankruptcy filing.

Reuters - Oil prices climbed toward $51 per barrel on Wednesday as optimism that the U.S. recession was easing boosted markets and raised expectations of a rebound in energy demand from the world's largest consumer.

Reuters - U.S. stocks climbed on Wednesday after grim growth data offered hints of future expansion, a prospect reinforced by the Federal Reserve's hopeful comments.