LONDON (Reuters) - Stock index futures edged up on Friday, suggesting a positive start to trade on Wall Street ahead of data on housing and consumer sentiment.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asian shares lurched lower on Monday as a nasty earnings surprise from General Electric Co (GE.N) and a 26-year low in U.S. consumer sentiment drowned out the Group of Seven nation's support for the dollar.

NEW YORK -- Wall Street paused after a huge two-session rally Tuesday but closed mostly higher, holding on to almost all its gains even after disappointing reports on consumer sentiment and the housing market.