Stocks rise as recession fears ebb

Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 12:03:11 -0400
Stocks rise as recession fears ebb

Stocks advanced on Monday, with data suggesting the U.S. economy may not
be in recession helping overcome concerns over record crude oil prices,
while technology received a lift as Microsoft said deal talks with Yahoo
were back on the agenda.

Economic Report: Leading indicators rise for second straight month

The U.S. economy is likely to remain weak, but is not in a recession,
economists for the Conference Board says after announcing that the index
of leading economic indicators rose slightly in April for a second
straight month.

Platinum supply comes up short in 2007: report

Global platinum supplies weren't enough to meet demand in 2007, platinum
group metals refiner Johnson Matthey says -- bad news for a market that
saw a record price of nearly $2,300 an ounce in March.

Microsoft reopens talks with Yahoo on scaled-back deal

Microsoft Corp. has reopened talks with Yahoo Inc. about a deal that
would not involve a full acquisition, just days after billionaire
investor Carl Icahn said he would seek to oust Yahoo's board.

Lowe's profit drops 18% on housing-market malaise

Lowe's Cos., the No. 2 U.S. home-improvement retailer, says its
first-quarter profit fell 18%, hurt by the declining housing market and
a spate of other economic worries that cut into consumers' discretionary
spending.