Britain’s FTSE 100 index ends higher, gaining after the Bank of England announced further quantitative easing and Greek lawmakers agreed a deal on austerity measures.

The leaders of Greece’s main political parties reach agreement on new austerity measures demanded by international creditors hours before a pivotal meeting of euro-zone finance ministers in Brussels.

After more than a year of negotiations, the biggest banks, states and federal authorities announce a settlement for more than $26 billion over foreclosure practices.

Micron Technology will meet with analysts on Friday — just one week after the sudden death of its well-regarded CEO Steve Appleton. Analysts are looking for further insight into the company’s strategy in a shifting market.

European stocks close higher Thursday as Greek leaders reach a deal over austerity measures and U.S. jobless-claims data for last week show a surprise improvement.

The House of Representatives passes overwhelmingly by a vote of 417 to 2 legislation to curtail insider trading of securities by lawmakers and officials in the executive branch, including a provision inspired by an alleged trade made by the husband of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The 30-year-fixed mortgage rate holds the line at the record low it hit a week ago, while average interest rates on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage and other loan products inch higher in response to positive job-market news.

The House of Representatives passes by a vote of 417 to 2 legislation to curtail insider trading of securities by lawmakers and officials in the executive branch, including a provision inspired by an alleged trade made by the husband of Nancy Pelosi.

Crude futures advance for a third day, as an austerity agreement in Greece and a decline in U.S. jobless claims kindle hopes that demand for oil will take a turn higher.

U.S. stocks erase initial gains to trade little changed as Wall Street attempts to gauge the impact of Greek austerity deal.