NEW YORK (AP) Even after yesterday's strong rally, stock prices have been firm in the early going. Investors are digesting better-than-expected earnings from Morgan Stanley and a drop in crude oil prices.

NEW YORK (AP) Investment banking giant Morgan Stanley reports the strength of its stock and bond trading business led to first-quarter earnings that were higher than forecast. It also reported write-downs of 2.3 billion dollars, some linked to troubled mortgage-backed securities.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Credit card processing giant Visa has pulled off the biggest initial public offering in U.S. history. It has sold more than 400 million shares at $44 each, raising nearly 18 billion dollars.

Washington (AP) A helping hand is being applied to the home loan market. The government has relaxed capital requirements at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as part of a plan to inject an additional 200 billion dollars of financing for home loans.

VIENNA, Austria (AP) Crude oil prices have dropped more than $2 a barrel. Traders await release of the weekly report on inventories, due from the Energy Department this morning.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-19-08 0918CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list