Reuters - U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as a report pointing to stronger business spending boosted shares of blue-chip computer firms and heavy equipment makers, overshadowing the latest signs of turmoil in the financial sector.

AP - Oil futures rose back above $131 Wednesday, recovering from early losses as threats against Nigerian oil facilities led investors to at least temporarily set aside concerns about falling U.S. gas demand.

Reuters - U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will emphasize during a trip to the Middle East the need to allow private sector investment in the oil industry, a senior Treasury official said on Wednesday.

Reuters - New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods dipped last month but demand outside of transportation jumped and a gauge of business investment rose sharply, suggesting surprising strength in the factory sector.

AP - Ford Motor Co. plans to conduct involuntary layoffs of salaried employees by August as part of a restructuring in the face of slumping sales and record-high gas prices, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

AFP - The dollar advanced a few notches against the euro Wednesday as a better-than-expected survey on US durable goods orders offset a report showing German inflation had crept higher, dealers said.

AP - Wall Street managed to finish an erratic session with a moderate gain Wednesday as investors found some comfort in upbeat data on durable goods orders.

AP - The dollar rose against the yen Thursday in Asia as investors took heart from better-than-expected U.S. durable goods orders.

AP - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket items besides autos and airplanes showed surprising strength in April, raising hopes that manufacturing can help the economy shake off the slumping housing market and credit crisis.

Reuters - Inflation is rising globally because of an easy monetary policy, especially in the United States, leading economist and former U.S. Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs John Taylor said on Wednesday.