European aerospace group EADS has drawn up a list of acquisition targets in the United States but does not plan a rival bid for U.S. defence firm DRS Technologies , EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois said.

There could be a rival offer for U.S. defense firm DRS Technologies, more probably from a European company, the chief executive of bidder Finmeccanica told La Repubblica newspaper in an interview.

Stocks declined Tuesday as investors expressed their disappointment in Wal-Mart's outlook, HP's deal and a slew of other news. Surprising resilience in retail sales, excluding autos, helped curb losses. The Nasdaq eked out a gain, led by Yahoo.

Stocks declined Tuesday as investors juggled a mixed bag of news: Retail sales outside of the hard-hit auto sector showed suprising resilience, while a well-known analyst cut her outlook for big banks. Wal-Mart skidded after the discount giant posted decent results but issued a tepid outlook.

Stocks declined Tuesday as investors juggled a mixed bag of news: Retail sales outside of the hard-hit auto sector showed suprising resilience, while a well-known analyst cut her outlook for big banks. Wal-Mart skidded after the discount giant posted decent results but issued a tepid outlook.

Finmeccanica, Europe's fourth-largest aerospace and defense company, has approached DRS Technologies, proposing a takeover bid of as much $5.41 billion, sources close to the matter told Reuters.

Stocks started the week off higher, led by financials and technology stocks. RIMM and MBIA rose, while HP declined.

Stocks started the week off higher as the dollar rose to a two-month high and oil receded. MBIA bounced despite reporting an astouding quarterly loss.

Italian aerospace and defence company Finmeccanica is close to making an offer of nearly 3.5 billion euros ($5.41 billion) for DRS Technologies, Il Sole 24 Ore business daily reported on Sunday.

Stocks bounced back from the prior session's slide, led by techs and materials, as techs staged a rebound and materials benefited from higher metal prices. Better-than-expected retail sales also buoyed the market.  Financials declined after federal regulators proposed increased oversight of investment banks.

Stocks bounced back Thursday following a sharp drop in jobless claims and better-than-expected monthly sales from Wal-Mart.

Italian aerospace and defense company Finmeccanica is in advanced talks to buy DRS Technologies, a New Jersey-based defense company, the Wall Street Journal said on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.