U.S. stocks rise as Amazon.com's buyback plan lifts Nasdaq

Date: Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:01:08 (GMT)

U.S. stocks rise as Amazon.com's buyback plan lifts Nasdaq

U.S. stocks turn mildly higher, led by the recently beat-up technology
sector, which was lifted in part by online retailer Amazon.com Inc.'s
buyback plan.

G7 expected to focus on regulation rather than stimulus

Turbulent financial markets, a potential U.S. recession and fears of a
widening credit crunch will give finance ministers and central bankers
from the Group of Seven industrial nations plenty to talk about when
they meet Saturday in Tokyo.

MBIA's shares gain as $1 billion share offering is priced

Troubled bond insurer MBIA Inc. increased by 33% its planned
common-stock offering to $1 billion, pricing the shares to be sold at
$12.15 each. The pricing, announced late Thursday, sent MBIA's shares
down more than 10% in pre-open trading Friday on dilution fears, but
they clawed back into the black as analysts suggested the move could
help the company keep a top-of-line credit rating.