European earnings were relatively subdued on Friday, with bad news coming out of German financial services Allianz as its Dresdner Bank unit posted a quarterly operating loss.

Beware to all you thirsty souls out there: Your summer brew just got more expensive.

UK interest rates are expected to remain on hold at 5 percent when the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee announces its decision Thursday, as fear of inflation prevents aggressive cuts that could boost Britain’s weakening economy, analysts told CNBC.com.

The Federal Reserve must be ready to raise benchmark interest rates in a timely manner given the "troublesome" inflation outlook, Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig said Tuesday.

Investors are watching Russian beer venture BBH and struggling Anglo-Irish Bank, both of which report earnings Wednesday.

Stocks continued to rally, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average past 13,000.

Stocks continued to rally, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average past 13,000.

The Dow industrials tilted higher Thursday after a better-than-expected reading on U.S. manufacturing activity. The Nasdaq moved solidly higher, however, as big-name tech stocks continued to draw interest.

The Dow industrials wobbled Thursday as a rise in jobless claims rattled a few cages ahead of tomorrow's jobs report and ExxonMobil's $10.9 billion quarterly profit was -- wait for it -- a disappointment.  The Nasdaq moved solidly higher, however, as big-name tech stocks continued to draw interest.

Stocks finished slightly lower Wednesday as another rate cut and no indication from the Federal Reserve that it plans to stop anytime soon killed an earlier rally.

Stocks advanced Wednesday after a slightly better-than-expected report on economic growth. General Motors shares jumped after the auto maker posted a smaller-than-expected loss.

Stocks advanced Wednesday after a slightly better-than-expected report on economic growth. General Motors shares jumped after the auto maker posted a smaller-than-expected loss.

Kraft Foods Wednesday posted better-than-expected quarterly profit as price increases and new products lifted sales even as costs for oil and ingredients such as wheat continued to soar.

Stocks advanced Wednesday after a slightly better-than-expected report on economic growth. General Motors shares jumped after the auto maker posted a smaller-than-expected loss.