STOCKS NEWS US-Futures up on hopes around G20 meeting

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS] Real-Time Equity news [U E]

U.S. stock market report [.N]
0804 ET 02April2009-Futures up on hopes around G20 meeting
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U.S. index futures were higher on optimism the G20 meeting underway in
London would agree on ways to temper the economic crisis. Shares of banking and
auto companies, two sectors that have been heavily pressured by the crisis,
rallied in premarket trading.

For details, see [ID:nN02543512]

Dow Jones industrial average futures DJc1 rose 142 points while S&P 500
futures SPc1 gained 15.1 points and Nasdaq 100 futures NDc1 were up 24.75
points.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0756 ET 02April2009-US may face 2nd recession in '10-Conference Board
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While the U.S. economy is expected to return to growth later this year,
there is a danger that it will go into a second recession if monetary easing
and a weak dollar leads to increased inflation expectations, according to a
report from the Conference Board.

"If the United States experiences a too-rapid recovery, there may be a risk
of another recession in 2010," said Bart van Ark, the group's vice president
and chief economist. "It may fuel expectations for a return to inflation,
adding to the uncertainty concerning the pattern and path of economic
recovery."

For details, see [ID:nN01516748]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0732 ET 02April2009-Blackstone may launch fund for struggling companies
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Alternative asset manager Blackstone Group (BX.N) is trying to roll out a
new fund geared toward providing financing for struggling companies, according
to a report in the New York Post. [ID:nBNG22954]

The company is hoping to raise as much as $3 billion for the fund, which
would provide financing to cash-strapped entities in or on the verge of
bankruptcy, the paper wrote.

Shares closed Wednesday at $7.33.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0713 ET 02April2009-Changyou.com prices IPO at top end of range
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Chinese online gaming company Changyou.com (CYOU.O) on Thursday priced its
$120 million initial public offering at the top of its indicated range. It will
begin trading later on Thursday. [ID:nBNG493707]

Changyou.com is the first company to make an IPO on the Nasdaq since
November.

The company priced 7.5 million American Depositary Shares at $16 per share,
the top of a $14 to $16 range.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0709 ET 02April2009-Costco to close Costco Home stores
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Retailer Costco Wholesale (COST.O) on Thursday said it plans to close two
of its Costco Home stores because of the economic slowdown and weakness in the
home furnishings business.

The retailer sees no layoffs or impact on its operations as a result of the
closures. [ID:nBNG503396]

Shares closed Wednesday at $46.35.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0705 ET 02April2009-Economic indicators for April 2
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Economic indicators on tap for Thursday include weekly initial and
continuing jobless claims, February durable goods data and February factory
orders data.

For details, see [ECI/US]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0701 ET 02April2009-Earnings diary for April 2
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Companies scheduled to report quarterly results on Thursday include: Micron
Tech (MU.N), Monsanto Co (MON.N), MSCI Inc (MXB.N), A. Schulman (SHLM.O),
CarMax Inc (KMX.N), Cascade Corp (CAE.N) and Rite Aid Corp (RAD.N).

For details, see [RESF/US]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net