Bullish Blog

AP - The stock market had a fitting end to a stellar but erratic third quarter as investors still ambivalent about the economy shuttled between bouts of buying and selling. Wall Street’s major indexes ended the July-September period with big gains Wednesday as investors placed more bets that the recovery will keep gathering momentum.

Because of the recession, almost all of America’s richest citizens are less wealthy this year, Forbes’ annual report finds.

AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Wednesday:

AFP - London shares ended in the red on Wednesday after disappointing US economic data and a cautious outlook from retailer Marks and Spencer took a toll on investor confidence.

Reuters - A U.S. congressional panel is expanding its probe of credit rating agencies to look at why securities regulators ignored warnings from former Moody’s Corp executives about the company’s weak compliance department and ratings process.

AP - The stock market had a fitting end to a stellar but erratic third quarter as investors still ambivalent about the economy shuttled between bouts of buying and selling.

AFP - Europe’s main stock markets rose in cautious trading on Wednesday, after falls the previous day, as traders awaited the latest reading on economic growth in the recession-struck United States.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Wednesday after a surprising contraction in an index of Midwest business activity, but buying of technology bellwethers like Cisco Systems Inc at the end of a strong quarter limited losses.

AP - European stocks rose and Wall Street was expected to open higher Wednesday as an upbeat report by the International Monetary Fund and a fall in Germany’s unemployment rate offset worries over weak U.S. consumer confidence. Asian markets were mixed.

Shareholder advocates are gaining ground in the battle against exorbitant salaries and perks, with some big companies endorsing change. But will they follow through?