1.   Associates introduced a new fund to invest in technology stocks amid sneers and snickers from analysts and rival fund groups.

2.   Analysts said investors snapped up shares of the Mishawaka-based company and many other steel stocks amid reports that the U.S. economy is strengthening.

3.   AUSTRALIAN stocks rose, led by resources stocks amid optimism world economies will grow at a pace fast enough to fan rising commodity prices.

4.   Banks led the decline in Japanese stocks amid concern write-offs of trillions of yen in bad loans will eat into earnings.

5.   A declining bond market also is expected to hurt stocks amid concern that the anticipated fast growth in the fourth quarter may stoke inflation.

6.   Canadian stocks fell, led by metal stocks amid lower commodity prices, snapping a three-day advance.

7.   Cash-rich companies, such as Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., also rose as investors sought out these stocks amid regional concerns and higher interest rates, analysts said.

8.   Cash-rich companies, such as Singapore Telecommunications, rose as investors sought out these stocks amid regional concerns and higher interest rates, analysts said.

9.   Colombian stocks rose for a second day as investors pushed up bank stocks amid easing tensions with the U.S. over the treatment of drug traffickers.

10.   Colombian stocks were little changed as gains by Banco Ganadero offset Cemento Argosas as investors sold cement stocks amid a slowdown in construction.