1.   American Express Corp. led the market higher amid speculation it could be a takeover target.

2.   Automobile stocks were mostly higher amid forecasts for strong demand.

3.   Aggressive buyers have pushed shares of GenRad Inc. sharply higher amid a blistering trading pace in recent sessions.

4.   Corn futures were fractionally higher amid conflicting views on the prospect that corn planting will be significantly delayed because of wet weather.

5.   Financial shares led stock markets across Europe higher amid optimism rate cuts in the U.S. could be prompt central banks here to cut rates too.

6.   Falling Fed rates often lead bond yields and other interest rates lower, pushing bond prices higher amid expectations that any new securities will pay interest at lower rates.

7.   Forecasts for cold winter weather helped push cattle prices higher amid concern that ranchers will often have difficulty bringing animals to market.

8.   Italian financial markets were higher amid expectations that the government of Italian Prime Minister Lamberto Dini will survive a vote of confidence later today in parliament.

9.   Its shares followed other airlines higher amid speculation that the economy will keep growing fast enough to encourage more travel.