U.S. stocks end little changed ahead of earnings kick-off

Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:06:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks end little changed ahead of earnings kick-off

U.S. stocks finish flat with financial shares leading the way on reports
of a $5 billion injection for Washington Mutual Inc., but with the broad
market losing steam as investors cash in profits in technology and
energy stocks.

Microsoft bid for Yahoo turns into game of chicken

SAN FRANCISCO
Microsoft Corp.'s bold bid to gobble up Yahoo Inc. seems to have
transformed from a waiting game into a game of chicken.

Washington Mutual rallies on report of $5 billion cash infusion

Shares of Washington Mutual Inc. leap nearly 23% on news the troubled
thrift is in negotiations to receive a $5 billion cash infusion from
private-equity firm TPG and a consortium of other investors.

China agrees to let banks buy U.S. stocks and mutual funds

Banking and securities regulators from China and the U.S. are laying the
groundwork to enable Chinese investors to buy and sell U.S. securities.