Stock futures indicate flat start; Google rises

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures pointed to a flat start on Wednesday, with falling crude oil prices likely to weigh on energy shares, but Google Inc. rose 1 percent before the bell, lending support to technology shares, after its rating and price target were reportedly raised.

Stocks also appeared likely to come under pressure after a strong earthquake hit Mexico's Gulf of California, near the east coast of Baja Peninsula. (4.1.2006 14.09h)


Google shares rise on Inet

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Google Inc. (GOOG) rose before the opening bell on Wednesday after Bear Stearns raised its rating on the Web search leader to "outperform" from "peer perform," and lifted its price target to $550 from $360, MarketWatch reported on its Web site.

Google shares rose 1 percent to $439.69 on the Inet electronic brokerage system. (4.1.2006 14.05h)


Piper raises Google price target to $600

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Piper Jaffray on Tuesday raised its price target on shares of Internet search provider Google Inc. by 35 percent to $600 from $445.

The new one-year target is the highest of 24 brokers with model prices on the stock, according to Reuters Estimates.

Izvor: Reuters.com (3.1.2006)