U.S. equity markets moved higher Tuesday afternoon as investors welcomed a report showing existing home sales surged in April for the first time since January.

U.S. equity markets looked set to open lower Tuesday after Fitch Ratings cut Japan’s credit rating, citing rising public debt and slow deficit-reduction efforts.

Global gold demand in the first quarter of 2012 was 1,097.6 tonnes, down 5 percent from the high demand levels seen a year earlier, according to the World Gold Council.

Biopharmaceutical company Medgenics (LON:MEDG, AMEX:MDGN) achieved a major milestone today - with clearance to begin a phase IIb trial of EPODURE to treat anaemia in kidney failure patients.

Social network site Facebook Wednesday increased the size of its initial public offering by almost 25 per cent as it could raise as much as $16 billion on strong investor demand for its market debut.