U.S. stocks advance as market ponders Fed words

Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 16:01:04 (GMT)
U.S. stocks advance as market ponders Fed words

U.S. stocks tilt higher after a choppy start as inventors contend with a
mixed stream of economic data and Exxon Mobil Corp.'s nearly $11 billion
in earnings, which had the oil giant's per-share profits falling under
expectations.

Exxon Mobil's quarterly net rises 17%, shy of expectations

Exxon Mobil says first-quarter profit gushed 17% higher, but the
petroleum giant fell short of its all-time record set last year in spite
of oil hitting $100 a barrel early this year and rising fast ever
since.

Futures Movers: Oil falls for third day on stronger dollar

Crude-oil futures fall, extending their decline from the previous
session, as strength in the dollar put pressure on energy prices.

Home Depot cuts expansion plans, plans to shut 15 stores

Home Depot, hurt by the declining U.S. housing market, says it will slow
the pace of new-store expansion, abandoning plans to open about 50 U.S.
stores to devote more cash for existing stores.

Bank of England signals worst of credit crisis may be over

The Bank of England asserts that the correction in credit markets has
gone too far and that risk appetite and confidence are likely to
gradually return to the financial system.