AP - Some of the market's star players are taking a break.

Reuters - U.S. stocks racked up gains across a wide array of sectors on Thursday, aided by rising commodity prices and improving labor market conditions, along with a sharp drop in interest rates.

AP - The stock market's rally is shifting to a lower gear.

AP - Most Asian stock markets advanced Friday as improving economic data from the China and U.S. supported views that the worst of the global recession is passing.

AFP - The London stock market opened down slightly on Friday after closing up the day before.

AP - Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday, with Japan's benchmark Nikkei index pulling back from its first move above 10,000 in eight months amid conflicting signs about the strength of an economic recovery. European bourses traded higher.

AP - European markets rose cautiously Thursday as investors awaited U.S. economic data due later in the day for further signs that the recession plaguing the world's largest economy is stabilizing.

AFP - A strong performance by the banking sector helped the leading share index close in positive territory on Thursday.

AP - Investors welcomed a better-than-expected report on jobless claims and growth in retail sales, pushing stocks higher Thursday.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Thursday as rising oil and other commodity prices lifted energy stocks, while retail sales and weekly jobless claims data bolstered optimism for an economic recovery.

AP - The stock market has a new priority: interest rates.