AP - The looming publication of the stress test results into 91 of Europe's banks weighed on world markets Friday despite further encouraging economic signals, particularly from Europe.

AP - Stocks wavered in a tight range Friday as investors sorted through the latest batch of earnings looking for clues about economic growth. Investors were also trading cautiously as they waited for a report on the health of European banks.

Reuters - The Dow and S&P 500 briefly turned higher while the Nasdaq pared losses in Friday morning trading, with Verizon results boosting telecommunications shares.

AFP - European equities held steady on Friday, after strong gains overnight on Wall Street and earlier in Asia, as investors awaited the outcome of crucial "stress tests" on Europe's banking sector.