U.S. stock futures edge higher ahead of data

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

U.S. stock index futures edge higher as investors eye another round of economic data a day after Dow industrials extended their winning streak and the S&P 500 topped the 1,400 level. See full story.

Stocks to watch Friday: UPS, AK Steel, AmeriGas

Running down the headlines of interest to investors early Friday. See full story.

New stock market highs by fall

Sam Eisenstadt, the former research director at Value Line, is projecting that the S&P 500 will be trading at around 1,520 by the end of August, reports Mark Hulbert. See full story.

Financials, miners push European stocks higher

Most European stock markets edge higher Friday, as financials and miners boost sentiment, while auto makers decline after a sector downgrade. See full story.

Asia markets mostly down; Shanghai, Tokyo rise

Japanese stocks rise narrowly to clinch a sixth straight week of gains as technology firms advance on the back of an extended rally on Wall Street, while Chinese shares rebound on bargain buying after two days of losses. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Instead of acknowledging that banks have become a part of government, we keep pretending they are private institutions, writes David Weidner. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

Higher fees are sneaking into the overall cost of most mortgages. But given ultralow interest rates these days, it�s likely few borrowers will notice. See full story.