Markets: News  

U.S. jobless claims edge slightly lower

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week but remained at a level indicating virtually no improvement in hiring trends or labormarket conditions, according to the latest federal data. See full story.

Stock futures shake off earlier losses, data ahead

U.S. stock market futures shake off earlier losses as European stocks also move higher, with economic data ahead. Futures moved lower earlier on disappointment over the move by the Federal Reserve to just extend its bond-buying program, and weak China data. See full story.

Stocks to watch Thursday: Red Hat, Aimco, Clarcor

MarketWatch's rundown of corporate headlines of interest to investors early Thursday. See full story.

Spain yields drop; Europe slump on Fed, China data

Solid demand for Spanish debt in a closely watched bond auction help stocks trim losses on Thursday, while a disappointing announcement from the U.S. Federal Reserve and weak China manufacturing data keep most European markets lower. See full story.

Asia stocks mostly lower after China data

Most Asian markets fall, with sentiment hit by further evidence of cooling in Chinese manufacturing activity, while the Federal Reserve disappoints investors hoping for new major stimulus measures.. See full story.

After 15 years in New York City covering Wall Street, David Weidner is leaving. He leaves 15 observations on the industry he's hated to love and loved to hate. See full story.

When it comes to IRAs, timing is everything. Robert Powell looks at five rules that could derail your retirement-savings plans. See full story.