Asia stocks slip as Greek bailout remains in limbo (AP)

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets dropped Friday after Europe’s finance ministers demanded more spending cuts from Greece before clearing a euro130 billion ($170 billion) bailout to stave off the country’s bankruptcy. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.2 percent to 8,984.84. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.4 percent to 20,928.47 and South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.9 percent to 1,996.18. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.5 percent to 4,259.60. Greece announced an agreement with European debt inspectors Thursday to cut costs and keep from defaulting on its debt next month, an event that would send shockwaves through the world financial system. But finance ministers from nations ..read more

Stocks close higher after debt deal in Greece (AP)

NEW YORK – The stock market finally got a deal in Greece, but it didn’t produce much of a rally. U.S. stocks rose Thursday morning after Greece announced an agreement to cut costs and keep from defaulting on its debt next month, an event that could have shocked the world financial system. But stocks dropped later in the morning and never returned to their highs for the day. Analysts cautioned that the market had expected the deal in Greece and warned that Europe still faced problems. “We still have a lot of wood to chop,” said Jeremy Zirin, chief equity strategist at UBS ..read more

Summary Box: Early Greece rally fades; Apple rises (AP)

GREECE BANDS: U.S. stocks rallied in the morning after Greece announced it had reached a deal to cut costs and stave off a looming debt default. But stocks gave up much of their gains by the end of the day, and analysts warned that Europe still faces plenty of problems. BY THE NUMBERS: The Dow rose as high as 12,924.71 in the afternoon, its highest level during a trading day since May 20, 2008. That was also the last day the average traded above 13,000. APPLE LOVERS: Apple continued a weeks-long surge, climbing 4 percent after reports that it will unveil the ..read more

Greek deal leads to modest gains on Wall St (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stocks rose modestly for a third straight day on Thursday after Greece reached a deal to secure a financial bailout, but investors were cautious after weeks of gains. Tech shares, led by Apple Inc (AAPL.O), gave a lift to the Nasdaq index and were the session's strongest sector. Skepticism that Greece would follow through on promised austerity measures kept investors hesitant to boost stocks further. The market's steady march higher also left investors reluctant to buy aggressively without a significant catalyst. Well over 75 percent of S&P 500 stocks are trading above their 26-week moving average, according to ..read more

Stocks slightly higher after debt deal in Greece (AP)

NEW YORK – The stock market finally got the deal it wanted from Greece on Thursday, but investors weren’t sure what to think of it. U.S. stocks rose in the morning after Greece announced an agreement to cut costs and keep from defaulting on its debt next month, an event that could have shocked the world financial system. Stocks dropped back later in the morning and were flat at midday. Though the Greek agreement churned up plenty of headlines, analysts cautioned that the market had already expected the deal and warned that Europe still faced problems. By afternoon, stocks were gently rising again. ..read more

Stocks rise early after Greek deal, then flatten (AP)

NEW YORK – The stock market finally got the deal it wanted from Greece, but the excitement didn’t last long. U.S. stocks rose early Thursday after Greece announced an agreement to cut costs and keep from defaulting on its debt next month, an event that could have shocked the world financial system. But stocks dropped back and were mostly flat at midday. Analysts said the market had expected the deal and warned that Europe still faced problems. The Dow Jones industrial average pushed to within 75 points of 13,000, a milestone it hasn’t reached in almost four years. It had given up some ..read more

Stocks rise early after Greek deal, then drop back (AP)

NEW YORK – U.S. stocks opened higher Thursday after Greek leaders agreed to cost-cutting measures that should prevent the country from defaulting on its debt next month. Stocks fell later in the morning. The Dow Jones industrial average pushed to within 75 points of 13,000 but was down 24 points at 12,860 after an hour of trading. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was down four points at 1,345. The Nasdaq composite index was down nine at 2,906. The deal in Greece calls for steep cuts in government jobs and spending, one of two steps for Greece to lock down a crucial ..read more

Stock futures up on Greek deal to OK cuts (AP)

NEW YORK – U.S. stock futures are edging higher after Greek leaders say they have agreed on a deal on new cuts demanded by creditors to secure a vital euro130 billion bailout. Dow Jones industrial futures are up 12 points at 12,856. The broader S&P 500 futures are up 2 points at 1,349. Nasdaq composite futures are up 4 points to 2,549. Futures were also helped by a weekly report that showed the number of people seeking unemployment aid neared a four-year low last week. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for unemployment benefits fell 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 358,000. ..read more

Markets remain optimistic over Greek deal (AP)

LONDON – Markets remained optimistic Thursday that Greece will secure its next bailout despite an 11th hour snag that has delayed the signing off of another batch of austerity measures. The prevailing view in the markets appears to be that Greece will cobble together a deal with its creditors in return for bailout cash that will help it avoid defaulting on its debts next month when a big bond repayment is due — a scenario that could send shock waves all round the European economy. “Time running out still does not appear to be impacting investor sentiment,” said Derek Halpenny, an analyst ..read more

Euro, shares gain on Greek deal hopes (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – European stock markets and the euro extended two months of gains on Thursday as Greece edged closer to a bailout deal and investors bet a brace of central bank meetings would offer further support for the move into riskier assets. Disagreement among Greek politicians over pension reform is the last hurdle to securing a second bailout for Greece and avoiding a chaotic debt default in March. Hopes are high a way will be found around the issue at a euro zone finance ministers meeting later in the day. The single currency, which briefly hit a fresh two-month high of ..read more

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