1.   Better-than-expected oil and natural gas prices so far this quarter are helping to fuel the earnings optimism, analysts said.

2.   Brazilian stocks rose amid earnings optimism for bellwether Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras SA.

3.   Earnings optimism was also reinforced after German banks reported soaring trading income and higher first-half figures.

4.   GERMAN shares gained, led by chemical and pharmaceutical makers Bayer AG and BASF AG amid a strong dollar and earnings optimism, analysts said.

5.   Hong Kong stocks turned higher, rebounding from their worst weekly run in five months, as investors bought China-backed investment companies on earnings optimism.

6.   In LONDON, stocks rose for the third day, lifted by U.S. shares and as takeover speculation and earnings optimism boosted bank shares.

7.   INDIAN stocks rose for a second day, led by Tata Iron and Steel Co., as earnings optimism outweighed political scandal.

8.   Japanese stocks traded mixed as declines by exporters amid concern a declining dollar will hurt earnings offset optimism of record profits at Sony Corp.

9.   Michigan stocks gained, led by shares of Herman Miller Inc. and Stryker Corp., as the broader U.S. stock market rose to records on earnings optimism.

10.   Michigan stocks rose, led by shares of Compuware Corp. and Kellogg Co., as the broader U.S. stock market rose to records on earnings optimism.