Currencies

The handful of Asian stock markets open for trading on the last day of 2014 mostly rose modestly, led by China which is nearing a 52 percent gain for the year.

Asian stock markets rose Monday, led by a 3 percent surge in Japan, as nerves about the outlook for the world economy steadied after big gains on Wall Street.

Asian stock markets were mostly higher Monday after a sixth month of healthy employment growth in the U.S. but gains were tempered by jitters over Argentina's debt default and a Portuguese bank bailout.

___ Microsoft makes design central to its future Before Ralf Groene helped devise the look and feel of Microsoft's Surface tablet, he designed food — or "food concepts," he says, such as dried noodles that come wrapped around a pair of chopsticks and a fork that squeezes out sauce.

Ratings companies have downgraded the Latin American country in recent days, warning of a 'materially higher risk of an economic collapse.' 

Inflation across the 19-country eurozone was revised down to 0.1 percent in the year to August, in a development that's likely to renew fears that the region could see another bout of falling prices.

U.S. stocks opened sharply higher Tuesday after a late rebound in China encouraged traders.

U.S. and global stock markets were recovering in early morning trading Wednesday after a sharp sell-off a day earlier.

U.S. stocks moved higher in early trading Wednesday after slumping for six straight days amid concern about a slowing Chinese economy.

U.S. stocks are rising in midday trading Monday as China's currency steadied and Greece's bailout cleared another big hurdle.

Japanese stocks rose after poor quarterly economic data raised hopes of more economic stimulus while other Asian indexes fell.

Global stock markets are steady on Thursday as the decline in China's currency slowed and the country's central bank eased fears of more steep drops.

Another drop in China's currency sent global stocks lower on Wednesday as the move raised worries about weakness in the world's second-largest economy.

U.S. stocks opened lower on Tuesday, led by declines in energy and materials stocks as commodities prices dropped.

U.S. stocks were mostly lower in early trading Tuesday following weak results from IBM, United Technologies and other big companies.

U.S. stocks are opening higher on speculation that Greece will be able to forge a deal with creditors this weekend to secure its future in the euro.

U.S. stocks are opening with big gains Thursday, bouncing back from losses a day earlier, as investors speculate that last-ditch talks between Greece and its creditors will produce an agreement.

U.S. stocks are heading lower early Wednesday amid growing concerns that trouble in China's markets could spread.

With each day, the likelihood is growing that Greece's financial catastrophe will force it out of the euro currency alliance and compel it to restore its old currency, the drachma.

U.S. stocks are edging lower in early trading as European leaders meet to discuss Greece's strained finances.