U.S. stock futures ease as Fed caution still prevails

Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:01:04 (GMT)
U.S. stock futures ease as Fed caution still prevails

U.S. stock futures slipped on Tuesday, with pharmaceutical Merck reeling
from a surprise regulatory rejection of a key drug and caution still
prevailing ahead of a key interest-rate decision.

BP, Shell surge as oil prices propel higher profits

BP and Royal Dutch Shell see sharp boost as crude-oil prices helped
offset virtually flat production and skyrocketing costs.

Daimler's quarterly profit drops 32%; trucks, Chrysler weigh

Daimler's first-quarter profit dropped 32%, hurt in part by a poor
performance from its truck-making unit, financial results show.

Valero Energy's quarterly net plunges 85%; margins pinched

Valero Energy's first-quarter net income from continuing operations
plunged 85% on record crude-oil costs, financial results show.

HBOS to tap shareholders for $8 bln, takes further write-downs

HBOS, Britain's biggest mortgage lender, said Tuesday that it plans to
raise 4 billion pounds ($7.95 billion) through the sale of stock to
existing shareholders as it battles against rising write-downs and
tighter lending margins.