Microsoft said it had agreed to buy Powerset, a start-up that is working on a new class of Web search that relies on insights from linguistics rather than simple keyword strings.

Microsoft Corp <MSFT.O> said on Tuesday it had agreed to buy Powerset, a start-up that is working on a new class of Web search that relies on insights from linguistics rather than simple keyword strings.

An index of Chinese ADRs advanced on Wednesday, after China's heavily watched index advanced and a decline in oil prices boosted Wall Street.

Baidu.com, China's top search engine, posted better-than-expected quarterly profits on Thursday, buoyed by strong traffic growth and online advertising revenue ahead of the Beijing Olympics, sending shares up 3 percent.

China's top Web search provider, Baidu.com, on Wednesday reported a 79 percent surge in quarterly profit but cautioned its outlook for the current quarter would be weaker amid heavy winter weather.

Shawn Wang, chief financial officer of top Chinese Internet search firm Baidu.com , died in an accident on Dec. 27, the company said.