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Stocks fell in Europe and Asia Tuesday as a bear market in commodities dragged down mining shares and investors speculated that the economic slowdown would cut earnings; U.S. index futures retreated.

Earnings from Ericsson, Samsung Electronics and Volvo exceeded analysts' estimates and bank shares rallied on speculation the worst of the credit crisis is over.

SYDNEY, May 1 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell 0.2 percent on Thursday as most banks fell on nagging worries about the outlook for profits, though the market finished off lows as resource firms recovered after oil and gold prices bounced back.

May 15 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. consumer prices rose less than forecast in April, as cheaper cars and hotel rooms offset the biggest jump in food costs in 18 years. U.S. stocks advanced a third day on the report and as Freddie Mac's results bolstered speculat