US stocks rose modestly in the United States today after investors bobbed and weaved with every word of new Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s testimony before Congress.

THE European Central Bank raised its economic growth and inflation forecasts for 2004 as higher global demand spurs a recovery in the eurozone.

ELAN shares have been given an "avoid" rating by Merrion Stockbrokers in the wake of the company's global conference call to investors yesterday when plans to raise €1 billion in an asset sell-off were unveiled.