AP - Oil futures ended a whipsaw session slightly lower Thursday as the expiration of options played havoc with prices, driving crude near record high levels at times and down by more than $3 a barrel at others. Retail gas prices, meanwhile, advanced past $3.77 a gallon.

AP - Wall Street investment companies are borrowing from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program at a fairly steady pace.

AP - Industrial output plunged in April as factories making everything from autos to heavy machinery felt the adverse effects of the weak economy. Analysts held out hope that production will revive in the second half of the year, helped by the government's economic stimulus checks.

AP - The world economy is "teetering on the brink" of a severe downturn and is expected to grow only 1.8 percent in 2008, the United Nations said in its mid-year economic projections Thursday.

Reuters - Stock index futures edged up on Friday, suggesting a positive start to trade on Wall Street ahead of data on housing and consumer sentiment.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday in light trading after a modest rise in consumer prices in April cooled inflation fears while Macy's Inc and Freddie Mac posted reassuring quarterly results.

AFP - Oil prices fell heavily Wednesday as traders reacted to an increase in US crude stocks and as profit-taking occurred a day after prices struck a record high.

Reuters - U.S. consumer prices were tamer than expected in April on a lower energy price reading, giving the inflation-wary Federal Reserve a little breathing space as it seeks to fortify an anemic economy.

AP - Consumer prices slowed in April despite the biggest jump in food costs in nearly two decades. But with oil near record levels, Americans should brace for more pain at the pump in coming months.

AP - Oil climbed toward the $125-a-barrel mark Thursday after the U.S. government issued a mixed report on the country's petroleum reserves and the U.S. greenback weakened against other key currencies.