International Headlines

Date: Monday, September 6, 2010
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 06 September, 2010

> REPORT: 2,000 MORE TROOPS MAY DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN
As many as 2,000 additional troops -- including U.S. forces --
may be headed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks under a plan
proposed by Gen. David Petraeus.

> JAPAN: GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS SENTENCED
A court in northern Japan found two Greenpeace activists guilty
Monday for stealing whale meat, but suspended their sentences,
Greenpeace Japan said.

> N. KOREA TO RELEASE S. KOREAN BOAT CREW
North Korea has decided to return a South Korean fishing boat
and its crew, after the North's navy intercepted them in its
waters in August, state-run media said Monday.

> BOMB BLAST HITS PAKISTANI POLICE BUILDING
At least 17 people were killed and 40 wounded in northwest
Pakistan Monday -- the latest in a series of suspected suicide
attacks in less than a week in the country.

> PLAN C FOR CHILE MINE RESCUE: OIL DRILL
Hedging their bets, officials in Chile said they will set up an
oil drill as a third option to rescue the 33 miners trapped
underground since August 5.

International Headlins

Date: Saturday, September 4, 2010
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 04 September, 2010

> STATE OF EMERGENCY IN QUAKE-TORN NEW ZEALAND CITY
A powerful earthquake hits near New Zealand's second-largest
city, sending people into the streets as buildings crumble.
Officials report no fatalities

> MORE U.S. AID TO FLOOD RAVAGED PAKISTAN
President Obama issued a presidential order on Friday
authorizing emergency funds to Pakistan's flood victims, the
White House announced Friday.

> UPS CARGO PLANE CRASHES NEAR DUBAI
A cargo plane has crashed in an uninhabited area near the Dubai
airport, according to the official WAM news agency in the United
Arab Emirates.

> HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING EXPOSED IN U.S.
Six job recruiters have been indicted in federal court in what
the FBI has called the largest human-trafficking operation ever
to result in charges in the United States.

> NASA TO PRESENT MINE RESCUE OPTIONS
NASA experts will present recommendations Friday for rescuing 33
miners trapped deep underground in Chile. Drilling a tunnel to
the men is expected to take months.

HURRICANE DOWNGRADED, STILL 'DANGEROUS'
A weakened Hurricane Earl brushed North Carolina's Outer Banks
overnight as residents along the Eastern Seaboard braced for a
stormy Friday.

> BUFFETT, GATES ON CHINESE MISSION
Having persuaded many of their billionaire peers in the US into
giving away chunks of money, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are
travelling to China to host newly minted Chinese tycoons to sell
them on the value of philanthropy.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> OBAMA PROMISES NEW JOBS INITIATIVES
President Obama promised to lay out a broad package of ideas for
job creation next week and slamming Senate Republicans for
blocking his small business aid legislation.

> CAN CHINESE MEDIA RULE THE AIRWAVES?
At a time when many Western media outlets are contracting,
Chinese media outlets are expanding, rapidly.

> FEARS GROW OVER GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY
Russia announced a 12-month extension of its grain export ban on
Thursday, raising fears about a return to the food shortages and
riots of 2007-08 which spread through developing countries
dependent on imports.

Stocks trim early gains after weak service data

Date: Friday, September 3, 2010

STOCKS TRIM EARLY GAINS AFTER WEAK SERVICE DATA
The major U.S. indexes get a boost from a report showing that job
losses slowed more than expected in August, boosting hopes that the
economic recovery is still on track.

HURRICANE EARL WEAKENS, HEADS UP THE EAST COAST
Hurricane Earl batters the North Carolina shore and heads up the
coastline toward Virginia and Massachusetts early Friday.

MARINER ENERGY PLATFORM FIRE INFLAMES GULF DEBATE
Mariner Energy's platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico comes at a
crucial time for the oil and gas industry as it faces an
offshore-drilling moratorium and regulatory fallout from the Deepwater
Horizon accident.

Stocks extended gains as investors welcomed surprisingly strong retail sales. Dow rose 50 points. Nasdaq and S&P add about 1%.

Date: Sep 2, 2010 4:02 PM

Stocks extended gains as investors welcomed surprisingly strong retail sales. Dow rose 50 points. Nasdaq and S&P add about 1%.

Stocks open slightly higher after new jobless claims and retail sales come in better than expected. Dow gains 6 points.

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:32:07 -0400

Stocks open slightly higher after new jobless claims and retail sales
come in better than expected. Dow gains 6 points.

European Central Bank holds key rate steady at 1%

Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:49:44 -0400

European Central Bank holds key rate steady at 1%
09/02/2010 07:48:07 AM EDT

The number of people filing for initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell to 472,000 for week ending Aug. 21.

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 08:33:07 -0400

The number of people filing for initial unemployment claims
unexpectedly fell to 472,000 for week ending Aug. 21.

International Headlines

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 02 September, 2010

> MIDEAST CONFLICT CENTER STAGE IN WASHINGTON
Ahead of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians on
Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was "hopeful --
cautiously hopeful" for a two-state solution.

> 3 BABIES FOUND BURIED AT DUTCH HOME
Dutch investigators were trying to determine Thursday whether
the bodies of three babies found at a home in the Netherlands
belong to the woman who lived there.

> DEATH TOLL TOPS 30 IN LAHORE BLASTS
The death toll from a trio of suicide attacks during a Shiite
processions in Lahore, Pakistan, grew to 31 Thursday,
authorities said Thursday.

> HURRICANE HEADS FOR U.S. EAST COAST
Hurricane Earl took aim on the Outer Banks of North Carolina
early Thursday as the powerful storm prepared to take a swipe at
the Eastern Seaboard.

> DUTCH FREE TWO MEN HELD IN TERROR PROBE
Two Yemeni men arrested as possible terror suspects at Schiphol
International Airport in the Netherlands have been cleared of
wrongdoing and freed, Dutch authorities said.

> U.S. TRANSFERS COMMAND IN IRAQ
Vice President Joe Biden marks the transfer of U.S. military
command in Iraq by promising that American engagement with
Baghdad "will continue."

> POLICE: 16 MIGRANTS KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO
At least 16 migrants, including a woman, were being held for
ransom by human smugglers in Tijuana, Mexico, according to a
migrant who was freed, authorities said late Wednesday.

> MOZAMBIQUE FOOD RIOTS TURN DEADLY
Three people died and dozens were injured in riots over
increases in the price of bread, water, energy and other
critical goods in Mozambique, the southern African nation's
official news agency reported Wednesday.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> DATA BOOST FROM ECONOMIC GIANTS
A surprise bounce in manufacturing activity in the world's two
biggest economies in August cheered investors as it ended the
bleak run of US economic data over the summer.

> INDIA WANTS SKYPE, GOOGLE DATA
India is extending a crackdown on BlackBerry to other e-mail and
internet communications providers, including Skype and Google, a
senior government official said on Wednesday.

> ECO-TOURISM IN WAR-TORN SIERRA LEONE
For many people, the name Sierra Leone still conjures up images
of the country's decade-long civil war and subsequent war crimes
trials.

Markets, Wednesday, 09/1/2010

Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:43:28 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,269.47 up 254.75 | S & P : 1,080.29 up 30.96
|
| NASDAQ: 2,176.84 up 62.81 | Bond (10Y): 2.58% up 0.105
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
September surprise: Stocks soar
September rally is in full swing after a report shows an unexpected
rise in manufacturing activity. Dow jumps 254 points, Nasdaq, S&P 500
gain 3%.

Stocks rocket up as investors cheer strong U.S. and Chinese manufacturing. Dow rises 254 ponts. Nasdaq, S&P add 3%.

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:06:03 -0400

Stocks rocket up as investors cheer strong U.S. and Chinese
manufacturing. Dow rises 254 ponts. Nasdaq, S&P add 3%.

U.S. stocks surge on hopes over economic growth

Date: Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 12:00 PM

U.S. STOCKS SURGE ON HOPES OVER ECONOMIC GROWTH

U.S. stocks start month on a strong note after a reading on manufacturing activity climbs in August, defying expectations of a fall.  

AUG. PRIVATE-SECTOR PAYROLLS FALL 10,000: ADP
U.S. private-sector employment fell 10,000 in August, according to the ADP employment report released Wednesday, breaking a six-month run of increases.  

CEOS THAT LAY OFF WORKERS EARN MORE: STUDY
Chief executives of the 50 firms that laid off the most workers since the onset of the economic crisis earned 42% more than the average pay for an S&P 500 company, according to a study released Wednesday. 

MEN LOSE MORE GROUND THAN WOMEN IN PAY SLIDE
Wage growth among middle- and low-income U.S. workers has been shaky for a decade, but in the last three years it collapsed, with wages growing at less than half the rate they had in the period right before the recession, and some workers' pay actually decreasing.  

SALARIES AND WAGES ARE RISING, BUT NOT BY MUCH
After two years of holding back on salary raises, U.S. employers say they plan bigger increases of workers' wages in 2011 -- but those plans could change if the economy continues to falter.  

International Headlines

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 01 September, 2010

> OBAMA ENVOY SEES 'WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY' FOR MIDEAST PEACE
U.S. President Barack Obama seeks to broker Mideast peace, with
his envoy identifying an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian
leaders to reach a deal within a year.

> BIDEN TO MARK IRAQ POWER TRANSFER
After more than seven years of American military operations in
Iraq, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will help mark the transfer
of U.S. military command in Iraq on Wednesday.

> HURRICANE EARL SPURS EVACUATIONS IN U.S.
As Hurricane Earl continues to spin toward the East Coast,
authorities in North Carolina are ordering more people to get
out of the way.

> POLICE DISMANTLE MALE PROSTITUTION RING
National Police said Tuesday an investigation that began in
February has resulted in the arrest of 14 people involved in an
organization dedicated to the sexual exploitation of men,
Spain's first such bust of its kind.

> EIGHT KILLED IN CANCUN BAR BOMBING
Eight people died early Tuesday after attackers hurled several
Molotov cocktails into a Cancun, Mexico, bar, the state attorney
general said.

> WEATHER STALLS EFFORT ON BP OIL WELL
Thad Allen, the government's point man on the BP oil disaster,
and Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser will meet
Tuesday before briefing the public on the cleanup effort.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> AXIS OF FASHION WORLD TILTS EAST
From individual consumers of luxury goods, the Chinese and
Indians have become consumers of luxury companies, in a shift
that has far-reaching implications for the $80 billion a year
industry.

> CURRENCY TRADING HITS RECORD LEVELS
Currency trading has surged to record levels in 2010, even as
the foreign exchange market becomes increasingly concentrated
among a smaller number of banks and trading centres.

> CHINESE MANUFACTURERS REPORT GROWTH
Fears that the Chinese economy is running out of steam eased
after a survey showed that factory activity accelerated in
August, but results from other Asian economies were gloomier due
to slackening demand from beyond the region.

Dow spikes 127 points at the open on strong economic data out of China. Nasdaq up 1.6%; S&P 500 rises 1.3%.

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:33:04 -0400

Dow spikes 127 points at the open on strong economic data out of
China. Nasdaq up 1.6%; S&P 500 rises 1.3%.

U.S. private-sector employment down 10,000 in August; July growth revised down 5,000

Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:22:17 -0400

U.S. private-sector employment down 10,000 in August; July growth
revised down 5,000
09/01/2010 08:20:36 AM EDT

Number of planned job cuts plummeted to a 10-year low in August, first decline in 3 months, says outplacement firm Challenger.

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 07:34:07 -0400

Number of planned job cuts plummeted to a 10-year low in August, first
decline in 3 months, says outplacement firm Challenger.

Breaking News

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:08:04 -0400

U.S. President Barack Obama declares the U.S. combat mission in Iraq
over, pledging continued commitment to Iraq.

Markets, Tuesday, 08/31/2010

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:56:48 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,014.72 up 4.99. | S & P : 1,049.33 up 0.41
|
|NASDAQ: 2,114.03 down 5.94 | Bond (10Y): 2.48% down 0.068
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end August with a whimper
All three major gauges end the month with losses. Investors mull Fed
meeting minutes and relatively upbeat economic news.

Stocks fall, giving up early gains, after Fed minutes show conflict over economic policy. Dow, S&P and Nasdaq end the month lower.

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:02:05 -0400

Stocks fall, giving up early gains, after Fed minutes show conflict
over economic policy. Dow, S&P and Nasdaq end the month lower.

SAKS MAY GET A $1.7 BILLION BID: REPORT

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:51 -0400

SAKS MAY GET A $1.7 BILLION BID: REPORT
The luxury retailer Saks could soon be on the receiving end of a $1.7
billion cash bid from a group of U.S. and U.K. private-equity firms,
according to a media report.

HERMES INTERNATIONAL'S FIRST-HALF PROFIT RISES 55%
Hermes International SCA, the Paris luxury-goods producer, reported
Tuesday a 55% surge in first-half net profit, buoyed by strong sales
in Asia.

RETAIL GIANT CARREFOUR SWINGS TO PROFIT
Carrefour, the world's second-largest retailer, posts a first-half net
profit and expresses confidence in meeting financial goals for the
year as its unveils changes in its hypermarket format.

FDIC says number of troubled banks in second quarter rises to 829 – highest since 1992.

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:12:03 -0400

FDIC says number of troubled banks in second quarter rises to 829 –
highest since 1992.

Consumer confidence improved in August, beating economist forecasts. Index stands at 53.5, up from 51 in July.

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:07:03 -0400

Consumer confidence improved in August, beating economist forecasts.
Index stands at 53.5, up from 51 in July.

Stocks open lower as investors remain jittery about the recovery. Dow drops 30 points. Nasdaq slides 0.4%. S&P 500 falls 0.3%.

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:32:03 -0400

Stocks open lower as investors remain jittery about the recovery. Dow
drops 30 points. Nasdaq slides 0.4%. S&P 500 falls 0.3%.

International Headlines

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:02:09 -0400

> DUTCH ARRESTS OVER AIRPORT SECURITY CONCERNS
Two men held in the Netherlands may have been trying to test
U.S. airport security by putting bottles with electronic devices
attached in checked bags, a source said.

> WORK DUE TO BEGIN ON MINE RESCUE SHAFT
Chilean officials plan to start drilling a rescue shaft Monday
as they begin a months-long operation to reach 33 miners trapped
underground since August 5.

> SOUTH AFRICA UPS OFFER TO STRIKERS
The South African government has increased its wage and housing
offers to striking workers, a union spokesman said.

> UPDATE EXPECTED ON STALLED GULF CLEANUP
Thad Allen, the government's point man on the BP oil disaster,
and Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser will meet
Tuesday before briefing the public on the cleanup effort.

> KENYA, AFRICAN UNION DEFEND BASHIR VISIT
Kenya and the African Union are defending a visit by Sudanese
President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted on allegations of war
crimes and genocide.

> U.S. EXPANDS SANCTIONS ON NORTH KOREA
U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order to impose
financial sanctions on North Korean entities and individuals
doing business with and for the secretive nation.

> S. KOREA OFFERS FLOOD AID TO N. KOREA
South Korea's Red Cross has offered $8.4 million in flood aid to
North Korea, the Yonhap news agency said Tuesday.

> ISRAELI PM HEADS FOR PEACE TALKS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves for Washington,
D.C., on Tuesday with the goal to "seriously and responsibly"
advance a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> WHY ARE CHINA BANK RESULTS SO SIMILAR?
China's big banks are all majority owned by the state, their top
executives are mostly former central bankers. But even for such
a homogenous industry their first-half profit results looked
eerily similar.

> CEO PAY HITS FRESH PR MINEFIELD
Is a chief executive's job 19 times more valuable than that of
the US president and hundreds of times more valuable than the
average worker in his or her company?

> AIRLINES' SHARES SOAR
Airline share prices have risen more than 70 per cent from their
lowest point at the beginning of last year, outperforming the
broader equity market, as investors bet on a strong recovery in
the highly cyclical aviation business.

Markets, Monday, 08/30/2010

Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:09:38 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,009.73 down 140.92 | S & P : 1,048.92 down 15.67 |
| NASDAQ: 2,119.97 down 33.66 | Bond (10Y): 2.54% down 0.107
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks drop as fear returns
Worries about the U.S. economic recovery overshadow billion-dollar
corporate deals and Bank of Japan's new monetary-easing policies.

Genzyme rejects Sanofi-Aventis buyout offer

Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:00:51 -0400

Genzyme rejects Sanofi-Aventis buyout offer
Genzyme formally rejects a $69-a-share buyout offer made by
Sanofi-Aventis, saying it undervalues the biotechnology company.

DOLLAR GAINS ON EURO; YEN RISES BROADLY
Japan's yen advances after an emergency easing by the Bank of Japan
failed to stem recent strength in the currency. The dollar mostly
gains but loses ground agains the yen.

U.S. STOCKS FALTER AS INVESTORS FIXATE ON ECONOMY
Wall Street trades broadly lower to start off a week that culminates
with the U.S. employment report for August.

ISRAEL STOCKS SLIP; PARTNER RISES AFTER REPORT
Israeli stocks edge lower on Monday, with strength in Ratio Oil and
Israel Chemicals offset by weakness among the banks, the chemicals
companies and the drugmakers.

SALARIES AND WAGES ARE RISING, BUT NOT BY MUCH
After two years of holding back on salary raises, U.S. employers say
they plan bigger increases of workers' wages in 2011 -- but those
plans could change if the economy continues to falter.

International Headlines

Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:02:06 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 30 August, 2010

> DRILLING TO REACH TRAPPED CHILEAN MINERS SET TO BEGIN
Chilean officials plan to start drilling a rescue shaft Monday
as they begin a months-long operation to reach 33 miners trapped
underground since August 5.

> BP STARTS FINAL STEP TO KILL GULF OIL WELL
More than three weeks after plugging its ruptured oil well with
cement and mud from above, BP plans to start a procedure Monday
that will pave the way for a permanent fix for the well.

> 9 DIE IN RUSSIAN RETIREMENT HOME FIRE
A fire at a retirement home northwest of Moscow killed nine
people early Monday morning, Russian state media said.

> BANK OF JAPAN TAKES STIMULUS STEPS
The Bank of Japan moved to halt the rise of the yen and support
the country's faltering economy by expanding a special bank
lending programme by half to Y30,000bn.

> MAYOR KILLED IN MEXICAN BORDER STATE
The mayor of a city in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas
was killed and his 10-year-old daughter was injured Sunday,
officials said.

> OVER 30 AFGHAN INSURGENTS KILLED
Afghan and coalition soldiers killed more than 30 insurgents,
including 13 would-be suicide bombers, as they fought off
assaults on two military bases and government buildings in
eastern Afghanistan, the NATO-led International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Sunday.

> ALLEGED CRICKET BETTING SCAM MAN BAILED
UK police interviewed four members of the Pakistani cricket team
over allegations that gamblers fixed part of a match against
England, the Pakistani team manager says.

> NETANYAHU: ISRAEL'S GOAL IS PEACE
Israel's goal is to "responsibly and seriously promote a peace
agreement" in the upcoming direct talks with Palestinians,
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his weekly
Cabinet meeting Sunday.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> GOOGLE PLANS PAY-PER-VIEW FILMS
Google's YouTube video site is in negotiations with Hollywood's
leading movie studios to launch a global pay-per-view video
service by the end of 2010, doing battle with Apple for digital
distribution.

> DOWNBEAT MOOD AT JACKSON HOLE
If the mood at Jackson Hole in 2008 was one of crisis, and 2009
sounded relief, the mood in 2010 was one of angst.

> THREE MEXICAN AIRLINES SHUT DOWN
Grupo Mexicana suspended operations at its three airlines
Saturday "until further notice," citing the financial problems
inherited when the group changed owners a week ago.

Markets, Friday, 08/27/2010

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:31:05 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,150.65 up 164.84 | S & P : 1,064.59 up 17.37
|
| NASDAQ: 2,153.63 up 34.94 | Bond (10Y): 2.65% up 0.153
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks shake off recovery jitters
Stocks rally as investors focus on GDP, taking Bernanke's cautious
comments and Intel's sales warning with a pinch of salt. Dow surges
165 points.

Stocks end with a bang - Dow gains 165 points - as Bernanke calms fears over lower GDP revision. Nasdaq and S&P 500 gain 1.6%.

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:03:07 -0400

Stocks end with a bang - Dow gains 165 points - as Bernanke calms
fears over lower GDP revision. Nasdaq and S&P 500 gain 1.6%.

Stocks gain on Bernanke comments, GDP revision

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:00:53 -0400

STOCKS GAIN ON BERNANKE COMMENTS, GDP REVISION
U.S. stocks rise Friday as investors digest comments from Federal
Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the Fed is ready to fight deflation
and welcome a better-than-expected GDP revision.

BERNANKE TALKS TOUGH ON DEFLATION
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said Friday that the
central bank would not sit idly and let the U.S. economy sink into a
period of deflation.

BERNANKE PUSHES BACK AT MORE EASING
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is not in any rush to further
ease monetary policy to stimulate the economy, writes Rex Nutting.

U.S. SECOND-QUARTER GROWTH SLOWS TO 1.6% RATE
The Commerce Department's downwardly revised estimate of
second-quarter growth in the U.S. economy comes in at 1.6% -- not as
bad as economists and investors had feared.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INCHES UP IN AUGUST
Consumer confidence rises slightly in August but still remains weak,
according to a report released Friday.

Bernanke says recovery has slowed, but expects growth to pick up in 2011. Says deflation is not a 'significant risk.'

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:01:08 -0400

Bernanke says recovery has slowed, but expects growth to pick up in
2011. Says deflation is not a 'significant risk.'

Economy grew at a much slower pace in the second quarter than previously estimated; GDP revised sharply lower to 1.6% annual rate.

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:32:04 -0400

Economy grew at a much slower pace in the second quarter than
previously estimated; GDP revised sharply lower to 1.6% annual rate.

Stocks pop at the open after revised GDP comes in better than expected. Dow up 74 points. Nasdaq gains 0.8%; S&P rises 0.5%.

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:32:07 -0400

Stocks pop at the open after revised GDP comes in better than
expected. Dow up 74 points. Nasdaq gains 0.8%; S&P rises 0.5%.

Market Briefing Newsletter for Thursday, 08/26/2010

Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 9,985.81 down 74.25 | S & P : 1,047.22 down 8.11
|
|NASDAQ: 2,118.69 down 22.85| Bond (10Y): 2.50% down 0.039
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks slump on slowdown fears
Stocks end lower as worries about the economy overshadow a report
showing initial jobless claims declined more than expected.

Stocks end lower, erasing earlier gains, as investors fret about a slowing economy ahead of GDP revision; Dow dips 74 points.

Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:03:04 -0400

Stocks end lower, erasing earlier gains, as investors fret about a
slowing economy ahead of GDP revision; Dow dips 74 points.

U.S. stocks turn lower as economic worries persist

Date: Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 12:00 PM

U.S. stocks turn lower as economic worries persist
Stocks bounce around in jumpy trading, but cling to modest gains as a drop in jobless claims takes some of the edge off concerns over a slowing U.S. economic recovery.

INITIAL JOBLESS CLAIMS DROP TO 473,000, U.S. SAYS
The number of people filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits falls for the first week in four, with the Labor Department pegging the decrease at 31,000 to put the number of applicants at 473,000 for the week ended Aug. 21. 

 

DROP IN JOBLESS CLAIMS SMALL COMFORT
The number of people filing for unemployment benefits declined for the first time in a month, a welcome spot of good news on the economy, writes Rex Nutting.  

DELL RAISES BID FOR 3PAR TO TRUMP H-P'S OFFER
Dell Inc. has raised its buyout offer for 3Par Inc. to $24.30 per share in cash, narrowly beating a bid submitted by arch-rival Hewlett Packard Inc. earlier in the week. 

Number of people filing for initial jobless benefits fell to 473,000 last week; down 31,000 from previous week.

Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:32:06 -0400

Number of people filing for initial jobless benefits fell to 473,000
last week; down 31,000 from previous week.

Stocks open higher after the number of people filing for initial jobless claims declines. Dow edges up 32 points. Nasdaq gains 0.3%.

Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:33:04 -0400

Stocks open higher after the number of people filing for initial
jobless claims declines. Dow edges up 32 points. Nasdaq gains 0.3%.

Markets, Wednesday, 08/25/2010

Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,060.06 up 19.61 | S & P : 1,055.33 up 3.46
|
|NASDAQ: 2,141.54 up 17.78 | Bond (10Y): 2.54% up 0.039
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

MARKETS:
Stocks recover from housing blues
A government report showed an unexpected drop in new home sales, but
stocks struggle higher. Dow closes 20 points higher.

July new-home sales fall to record low pace

Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:00:58 -0400

July new-home sales fall to record low pace
Sales of new homes in the United States fell to all-time record low in
July, as demand from consumers has dried up after tax breaks for
homebuyers expired in April, the Commerce Department estimated
Wednesday.

HOUSING STILL AT HEART OF OUR PROBLEMS
Four years after the housing bubble began to explode, it looks like
home owners may have to accept further losses before it's all over.

EXISTING-HOME SALES PLUNGE 27.2% IN JULY
The sale of existing U.S. homes sank 27.2% in July -- the biggest
one-month drop ever -- largely because of the phase-out of a federal
tax credit, according to an industry trade group.

U.S. DURABLE-GOODS ORDERS INCH UP 0.3%
Stronger demand for airplanes translate only into a 0.3% increase in
durable-goods orders in July, underscoring broad weakness in other
categories, the Commerce Department estimates.

Stocks open lower on more housing fears. Dow slips 24 points; Nasdaq slides 0.5%; S&P dips 0.3%.

Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:32:03 -0400

Stocks open lower on more housing fears. Dow slips 24 points; Nasdaq
slides 0.5%; S&P dips 0.3%.

U.S. durable-goods orders rise a less-than-forecast 0.3% in July

Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:35:29 -0400

U.S. durable-goods orders rise a less-than-forecast 0.3% in July
08/25/2010 08:33:49 AM EDT

Existing home sales plunge to annual rate of 3.83 million in July, realtor group says.

Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:04:04 -0400

Existing home sales plunge to annual rate of 3.83 million in July,
realtor group says.

Markets, Tuesday, 08/24/2010

Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,040.45 down 133.96 | S & P : 1,051.87 down 15.49 |
|NASDAQ: 2,123.76 down 35.87 | Bond (10Y): 2.50% down 0.108
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks lose big on home sales shock
Concerns about the economy trigger sell-off after a report shows
existing home sales plunged in July.

Existing-home sales plunge 27.2% in July

Date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 12:00 PM

Existing-home sales plunge 27.2% in July
The sale of existing U.S. homes sank 27.2% in July -- the biggest one-month drop ever -- largely because of the phase-out of a federal tax credit, according to an industry trade group. 

BOEHNER: GEITHNER AND SUMMERS SHOULD GO
President Barack Obama should call for the resignation of both Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Larry Summers, the head of the White House's national economic team, House Minority Leader John Boehner said Tuesday.  

ALASKA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA ON TAP FOR TUESDAY
The Republican ticket in the 2008 presidential election figures prominently in Tuesday's primaries as Sen. John McCain seeks to win again in Arizona and Sarah Palin's choice for a Senate seat faces an uphill climb in Alaska; In Florida, the winner of the Democratic nomination faces a tough race in November from both the Republican and independent tickets. 

Markets, Monday, 08/23/2010

Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:31:07 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,174.41 down 39.21 | S & P : 1,067.36 down 4.33
|
| NASDAQ: 2,159.63 down 20.13 | Bond (10Y): 2.61% down 0.005
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
BlackBerry crumble: Why RIM is in trouble
Shares of Research in Motion have been hit hard as investors worry
about disappointing Torch sales. Is RIM now a great bargain or is it
the next Palm?

HP outbids Dell for data-storage provider 3Par

Date: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 12:00 PM

HP outbids Dell for data-storage provider 3Par
Hewlett-Packard offers to buy data-storage provider 3Par for $1.6 billion, eclipsing an earlier agreement 3Par reached with Dell as the tech rivals strive to expand beyond their core businesses in personal computers.

POTASH IN TALKS WITH THIRD PARTIES TO FEND OFF BHP
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. urged its shareholders on Monday to reject BHP Billiton's nearly $39 billion unsolicited bid and said it's in talks with third parties about an alternative.

SABMILLER MAY OFFER $10.9 BILLION FOR FOSTER'S
SABMiller PLC, the world's No. 2 beer maker, reportedly is considering spending up to $10.9 billion to acquire the beer operations of Foster's Group Ltd., the largest brewer in Australia, according to a media report Sunday. 

HSBC MAY BUY NEDBANK STAKE WORTH OVER $6 BILLION
HSBC Holdings is in exclusive talks to buy a majority stake in Nedbank, South Africa's fourth-largest lender, from U.K. insurance firm Old Mutual. A deal could command a price tag of more than $6 billion, as HSBC looks to position itself to capitalize on growing trade between Africa and Asia.

U.S. STOCKS ERASE GAINS AS DEAL EUPHORIA FADES
U.S. stocks fall slightly, erasing an earlier rally as investors return their focus to the weak economy while excitement over a burst of deal activity fades.

Markets, Friday, 08/20/2010

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:32:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,213.62 down 57.59 | S & P : 1,071.69 down 3.94
|
| NASDAQ: 2,179.76 up 0.81 | Bond (10Y): 2.61% up 0.033
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Dow and S&P post 2nd week of losses
Week's dismal data raise fears about the possibility of a double-dip recession.

U.S. stocks decline as economic woes linger

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:54 -0400

U.S. STOCKS DECLINE AS ECONOMIC LINGER
U.S. stocks fall, paced by companies with strong international
exposure, as the euro sinks to a one-month low and the dollar surges.

POTASH REPORTEDLY SEEKS NEW OFFER TO COUNTER BHP
Canada's Potash is reportedly considering alliances with global
companies that could put together a competing offer to
Anglo-Australian miner BHP Billiton's hostile $38.6 billion bid for
the fertilizer giant.

KNOC LAUNCHES $2.9 BILLION HOSTILE BID FOR DANA
Korea National Oil Corp. goes hostile with its acquisition bid for the
U.K.'s Dana Petroleum, whose board rejected an earlier approach.

MCAFEE HAS WHAT INTEL WANTS: A RISING STOCK
Before you can fix something, you first have to recognize that it's
broken, writes Tomi Kilgore. That might be the best thing about Intel
Corp.'s bid to buy McAfee Inc.

TREASURY YIELDS FALL TO NEW LOWS ON SAFE-HAVEN BID
Treasury prices stake out fresh gains as yields shrink further,
playing off falling global stocks and U.S. equity futures as well as
selling in the euro against the dollar.

Losses steepen for U.S. stocks; Dow industrials slide 100 points at midday

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:49:09 -0400

Losses steepen for U.S. stocks; Dow industrials slide 100 points at midday
08/20/2010 11:47:17 AM EDT

International Headlines

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:02:06 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 20 August, 2010

> THAILAND TO HAND ARMS DEALER SUSPECT TO U.S.
A Thai court rules that suspected international arms dealer
Viktor Bout can be extradited to the U.S. to face charges
including illegally buying U.S. planes to move weapons.

> 'DEAD HEAT' ON EVE OF AUSTRALIAN ELECTION
On the last day of campaigning before voting begins in
Australia's national elections, a poll finds incumbent Prime
Minister Julia Gillard tied with challenger Tony Abbott.

> U.S. TO BOOST FLOOD AID FOR PAKISTAN
Washington announces additional aid as estimates for the number
of Pakistanis left homeless by massive flooding doubles to 4
million people.

> SECOND PLANE WITH ROMA TO LEAVE FRANCE
A second chartered flight carrying Roma, often referred as
Gypsies, is scheduled to leave France on Friday, a spokesman for
the nation's minister of immigration said.

> U.S. TROOP STRENGTH IN IRAQ DOWN TO 52K
The number of U.S. troops remaining in Iraq is about 52,000, the
U.S. military said Thursday.

> JEAN TO LEARN OF HAITI ELECTION ELIGIBILITY
Haiti's election commission said it will decide Friday whether
hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean is eligible to run for president.

> 12 INSURGENTS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN RAID
Afghan and coalition troops killed 12 Taliban insurgents,
including a commander, during a raid in Logar province, NATO's
International Security Assistance Force said Thursday.

> LEADING AL QAEDA MILITANT SURRENDERS
Hezam Mujalli, an al Qaeda leader in Yemen pictured here in
2004, has surrendered to authorities, Yemen's embassy in the
United States said Thursday.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> RIO VOWS TO PUSH AHEAD WITH BHP VENTURE
Tom Albanese, chief executive of Rio Tinto, insisted on Friday
the miner would push ahead with its controversial Australian
iron ore joint venture with BHP Billiton, denying a report that
the deal was facing collapse.

> EMERGING ECONOMIES UPEND OIL DEMAND
Emerging economies have upended the long-standing pattern of
global oil consumption, according to the west's energy watchdog,
in a further sign of how countries such as China are
transforming commodities markets.

> 22-MILE HYDROCARBON PLUME IN GULF
Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution said they
have detected a plume of hydrocarbons that is at least 22 miles
long and more than 3,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of
Mexico, a residue of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Stocks open lower as investors digest strong tech earnings reports amid weak recovery. Dow dips 51 points.

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:34:04 -0400

Stocks open lower as investors digest strong tech earnings reports
amid weak recovery. Dow dips 51 points.

Markets, Thursday, 08/19/2010

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,271.21 down 144.33 | S & P : 1,075.63 down 18.53 |
| NASDAQ: 2,178.95 down 36.75 | Bond (10Y): 2.58% down 0.062
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks socked by economic trifecta
Dow drops more than 144 points after weak reports, including a 9-month
high for jobless claims.

Stocks drop on a wave of bad economic news. Dow falls 144 points; Nasdaq, S&P each lose about 1.7%

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:01:04 -0400

Stocks drop on a wave of bad economic news. Dow falls 144 points;
Nasdaq, S&P each lose about 1.7%

U.S. stocks hit by dismal economic data

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:01:01 -0400

U.S.STOCKS HIT BY DISMAL ECONOMIC DATA
The latest batch of economic data cast a gloomy light on the strength
of the recovery, overshadowing Intel's deal for McAfee.

INTEL TO BUY MCAFEE FOR $7.7 BILLION
Intel will pay $48 a share in cash for McAfee, as the chip giant
targets security as a growth area.

INTEL'S $7.7 MCAFEE BUY LEADS WEAK TECH ACTION
Tech stocks were mixed in Thursday's trading action, as Intel Corp's
surprise $7.7 billion deal to acquire security-software company McAfee
Inc. highlighted the sector's action.

H-P CULTURE CRUMBLED FURTHER UNDER HURD
The drama surrounding Mark Hurd's abrupt departure as chief executive
of Hewlett-Packard Co. has shined an unflattering light on the
company, writes Therese Poletti.

GOLD ADDS TO ADVANCE AFTER PHILLY FED, INDICATORS
Gold futures touch the loftiest in seven weeks as initial claims for
jobless benefits hit a nine-month high last week and as two leading
indicators of economic activity reinforce expectations for a slowdown
in growth.

Stocks open lower after a surprise surge in jobless claims. Dow dips 35 points. Nasdaq slides 0.4%.

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:32:06 -0400

Stocks open lower after a surprise surge in jobless claims. Dow dips
35 points. Nasdaq slides 0.4%.

U.S. first-time jobless claims increase to 500,000, highest level since November 2009

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:34:23 -0400

U.S. first-time jobless claims increase to 500,000, highest level
since November 2009
08/19/2010 08:32:30 AM EDT

U.S. stocks off session lows; tech inches up

Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:51 -0400

U.S.STOCKS OFF SESSION LOWS; TECH INCHES UP
U.S. stocks pare losses as investors react tepidly to the latest
trickle of second-quarter earnings and developments on the deals
front.

TARGET PROFIT UP 14% ON CONTROLLED COSTS
Shares of the discounter trend lower, as investors nod to management's
ongoing efforts to controlling expenses in order to make up for signs
of softness in July-quarter sales.

DEERE PROFIT LEAPS 47% ON NORTH AMERICA DEMAND
The manufacturer says North American farmers bought more tractors at
higher prices and demand for construction and forestry equipment
rebounded from last year's slump.

BHP BILLITON TAKES BID TO POTASH SHAREHOLDERS
Miner BHP Billiton goes hostile with its bid for Potash Corp., and
vows to make the case for a $130-a-share offer directly to
stockholders of the fertilizer supplier.

A CONTRARIAN TAKE ON GOLD
Gold market enthusiasm has returned in force over the last couple of
weeks, as bullion reaches a six-week high.

International Headlines

Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 18 August, 2010

> FLOOD VICTIMS: 'SURVIVING IS VERY HARD'
A daughter dead, an infant barely alive, a great-grandfather
dragged through floodwaters to safety: One Pakistan family's
desperate bid to save itself.

> BP TO STOP HANDLING MOST GULF CLAIMS
BP has picked Wednesday as the deadline for accepting claims
from people and businesses affected by the Gulf oil disaster.

> JAKARTA SEEKS FRENCHMAN IN TERROR CASE
Indonesian anti-terror police are looking for a French man who
was allegedly involved in a terrorist plot foiled in May, a top
police official said Wednesday.

> ISRAEL HITS SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITE
The Israeli Air Force struck a suspected weapons manufacturing
site in central Gaza Wednesday, in response to two mortars that
were fired from the territory a day earlier, the military said.

> BUS CRASH IN PHILIPPINES KILLS 39
A minibus plunged into a 100-meter deep ravine in the
Philippines' Benguet province Wednesday morning, killing nine
passengers and seriously injuring eight others, official media
reported.

> COLOMBIA SURVIVORS RECALL PLANE BREAKUP
Aires Airlines Flight 8250 was seconds away from landing at San
Andres airport on a small island off the coast of Colombia early
Monday. The pilot had turned on the seat belt sign and told
passengers to stay in their seats. Passengers could see rain and
lightning outside their small cabin windows, but nothing was
amiss. Everything seemed calm. Normal. Routine.

> BLAGOJEVICH FOUND GUILTY OF LYING
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was found guilty on Tuesday
of making a false statement to the FBI. The jury said it was
hung on the other 23 counts against him.

> EMBASSY IN ISRAEL HIT BY HOSTAGE DRAMA
A shooting incident apparently took place at the Turkish Embassy
in Israel, prompting police and emergency crews to race to the
scene.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> BUSINESS RESISTS 'CONFLICT MINERALS' LAW
U.S. manufacturers are mounting a lobbying campaign over a
provision slipped into the financial reform legislation
requiring companies to declare products containing minerals from
the Democratic Republic of Congo.

> BP TO STOP HANDLING MOST GULF CLAIMS
BP said on Tuesday it would stop processing claims of people and
businesses hurt by the Gulf oil disaster as a
government-appointed group will take over responsibility on
August 23.

> POTASH REJECTS $39B BID BY BHP
BHP Billiton, the biggest and most cash-rich mining company,
returned to frontline dealmaking on Tuesday with a $39bn
(£25bn) preliminary offer for PotashCorp, a fertiliser maker
whose board rejected the approach.

Dow dips 33 points. Nasdaq slips 0.3%.

Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:34:04 -0400

Stocks open lower as investors fret about latest earning reports. Dow
dips 33 points. Nasdaq slips 0.3%.

Markets, Tuesday, 08/17/2010

Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,405.85 up 103.84 | S & P : 1,092.54 up 13.16
|
|NASDAQ: 2,209.44 up 27.57 | Bond (10Y): 2.64% up 0.070
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks come off week-long slump
Investors put fears of a slower economic recovery on the back burner
for a day on regional Fed chief's comments and Wal-Mart, Home Depot
earnings.

U.S. stocks rise after upbeat retail earnings

Date: Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 12:00 PM

U.S. STOCKS RISE AFTER UPBEAT RETAIL EARNINGS
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--U.S. stocks climbed Tuesday as earnings from key retailers gave investors reason to focus on encouraging corporate reports rather than the latest round of mixed economic data. 

WAL-MART'S PROFIT RISES; FORECAST BOOSTED
The retail giant says demand from Mexico and overseas markets drove the company's growth, while sales in the U.S. remained flat.  

HOME DEPOT PROFIT HIGHER, SEES MORE TRANSACTIONS
The largest U.S. home-improvement retailer manages to control costs against the backdrop of a still-wobbling housing market. 

WAL-MART, HOME DEPOT LIFT RETAILER SHARES
Earnings reports from Wal-Mart Stores and Home Depot Inc. helped lift the retail sector in early trading Tuesday.

POTASH CORP. SOARS; $38.6 BILLION OFFER REJECTED
 Shares of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan rally as investors anticipate a higher acquisition bid after the world's top fertilizer producer rejects a $38.6 billion unsolicited takeover offer from mining giant BHP Billiton. 

Stocks open higher on positive housing news. Dow rises 67 points; Nasdaq, S&P both gain 0.8%.

Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:33:03 -0400

Stocks open higher on positive housing news. Dow rises 67 points;
Nasdaq, S&P both gain 0.8%.

Markets, Monday, 08/16/2010

Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:31:05 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,302.01 down 1.14 | S & P : 1,079.38 up 0.13
|
| NASDAQ: 2,181.87 up 8.39 | Bond (10Y): 2.58% down 0.113
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Tech stocks gain in choppy session
Blue-chip issues end little changed as investors remain cautious after
last week's losses.

Petraeus: No qujick fixes in Afghanistan

8/15/2010 1:58:00 PM ET

Progress in the war in Afghanistan remains slow with no quick fix in
sight, the U.S. commander said Sunday.

BP preparing for permanent kill of leaky well

Date: 15 AUG 2010 18:28:34 GMT

BP PLC and the U.S. government may decide as early as Monday to move
ahead with a four-day process to permanently plug the source of the
worst maritime oil leak in U.S. history through a so-called bottom
kill of the Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico.

International Headlines

Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 05:02:04 -0400
TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 15 August, 2010

> U.N. CHIEF CALLS FOR FASTER AID TO FLOOD-HIT PAKISTAN
On a tour of flood-hit Pakistan, United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urges the international community
to do more to help the country -- and fast.

> RACE CAR PLOWS INTO CROWD, 6 DEAD
At least six people were killed when an off-road race car plowed
into a crowd in southern California on Saturday night,
authorities said.

> S. KOREA PRESENTS REUNIFICATION PLAN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has proposed a plan to
reunite his country with North Korea, including a tax to cover
expected costs, state media said Sunday.

> SATELLITE SHOWS SCOPE OF RUSSIAN FIRES
Satellite photographs on NASA's website show hundreds of hot
spots generated by Russian wildfires.

> CHINA MOURNS AS DEATH TOLL RISES
Flags will be lowered to half-staff across China and its
consulates Sunday to mourn the 1,156 victims of deadly mudslides
in the country's Gansu provice.

> OBAMA ADDS TO MOSQUE COMMENTS
President Obama on Saturday told CNN that in defending the right
of Muslims to build a community center and mosque near ground
zero, he was "not commenting on the wisdom" of the project.

> AFRICAN MIGRANTS KILLED AT ISRAELI BORDER
As many as four African migrants from Ethiopia and Eritrea
trying to cross into Israel from Egypt's Sinai desert were shot
dead by smugglers and 10 others were wounded, according to state
media.

> BOMB INJURES 3 CHILDREN IN N. IRELAND
Police in Northern Ireland said "it was an absolute miracle"
that three children were not seriously injured Saturday in a
bomb explosion in County Armagh.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> TIME TO WORRY LIKE IT'S 2003?
Last week the Federal Reserve's open market committee startled
financial markets by raising its terror alert level over the
economy and declaring it would keep buying bonds to maintain its
loose-money stance.

> EXPORTS DRIVE GERMAN GROWTH SPURT
A surprise surge in Germany's second quarter economic growth has
been put down to an increase in exports. But can the good times
in the typically pessimistic nation last?

> EAST INDIA CO. REBORN AS LUXURY BRAND
It was the world's first multinational company, a trading giant
during the colonial rule of the Indian subcontinent. This week,
The East India Company is being reborn as a luxury brand --
under Indian ownership.

International Headlines

Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:02:07 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 14 August, 2010

> FLOOD-HIT PAKISTAN CANCELS INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENTS
Pakistan canceled independence day celebrations Saturday as a
second wave of floods continued to put millions in peril, the
nation's prime minister said.

> OBAMA BACKS MOSQUE NEAR GROUND ZERO
U.S. President Obama threw his support behind a controversial
proposal to build an Islamic center and mosque near New York's
ground zero.

> U.S. TROOPS AID DESPITE TALIBAN RISK
More than 100 U.S. troops are on the ground in a volatile area
of Pakistan, helping that government deliver supplies and rescue
people from flood-ravaged areas, but a U.S. general said Friday
when it comes to fights with the Taliban, rescue teams have had
"none."

> UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE TO GET 'LEANER'
Britain's military chiefs have been told to prepare for a
"leaner and less centralized" Ministry of Defence.

> RUSSIA MOVING AHEAD WITH IRAN REACTOR
Russia says it will start loading a nuclear reactor in Iran with
fuel next week despite calls from the U.S. to wait for assurance
that Iran is making energy, not weapons.

> 7.2 QUAKE HITS SOUTH OF MARIANAS
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has struck south of the Mariana
Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

> U.S. SENDING WILDFIRE HELP TO RUSSIA
The United States is sending aid to Russia to help battle the
wildfires there, the White House said Friday.

> DOCTORS OPERATE ON ZSA ZSA GABOR
Zsa Zsa Gabor underwent surgery for the removal of a blood clot
Friday night, a complication relating to her recent hip
replacement surgery, her publicist said.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> EXPORTS DRIVE GERMAN GROWTH SPURT
A surprise surge in Germany's second quarter economic growth has
been put down to an increase in exports. But can the good times
in the typically pessimistic nation last?

> EAST INDIA CO. REBORN AS LUXURY BRAND
It was the world's first multinational company, a trading giant
during the colonial rule of the Indian subcontinent. This week,
The East India Company is being reborn as a luxury brand --
under Indian ownership.

> INDIA IMPOSES DEADLINE ON BLACKBERRY
India is expected to make a major decision Thursday regarding
BlackBerry, which is under serious scrutiny because the highly
encrypted messages in the device make it impossible for
intelligence agencies to monitor.

Markets, Friday, 08/13/2010

Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:31:07 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,303.15 down 16.80 | S & P : 1,079.25 down 4.36 |
| NASDAQ: 2,173.48 down 16.79 | Bond (10Y): 2.69% down 0.047
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end lower for 4th straight day
Indexes end lower for the fourth straight day after investors digested
dour economic reports on July retail sales and inflation.

U.S. stocks fall as global growth worries weigh

Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:00:53 -0400

U.S. STOCKS FALL AS GLOBAL GROWTH WORRIES WEIGH
U.S. stocks fall slightly to close out a tough week for the bulls, as
gains in data on retail sales and consumer sentiment fail to ease
investors' worries about the health of the global economy. See full
story.

HOENIG CALLS FED POLICY 'DANGEROUS GAMBLE'
In a sharp critique of Federal Reserve policy from a sitting policy
member, Thomas Hoenig said Friday that zero interest rates were "a
dangerous gamble" in a period of moderate growth.

AMERICAN CONSUMERS TAKE A BREAK
Nervous consumers aren't spending much this summer, adding to worries
about the momentum of the economic expansion, writes Rex Nutting.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE EDGES UP IN AUGUST
Consumer confidence in August edged upwards but remained in depressed
territory, according to a report released Friday.

WAL-MART, HOME DEPOT TO HEADLINE RETAIL MOOD
As the retail industry heads into the crunch of second-quarter
earnings next week, investors will be watching results, led by Dow
components Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

Consumer prices rise 0.3% in July, slightly above expectations. Retail sales climb 0.4%, slightly below forecasts.

Date: Friday, August 13, 2010

Consumer prices rise 0.3% in July, slightly above expectations. Retail
sales climb 0.4%, slightly below forecasts.

Markets, Thursday, 08/12/2010

Dte: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:31:03 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,319.95 down 58.88 | S & P : 1,083.61 down 5.86
|
|NASDAQ: 2,190.27 down 18.36 | Bond (10Y): 2.74% up 0.050
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks pare some losses but end lower
Investors worry over Cisco's cautious outlook and unexpected jump in
initial jobless claims.

GM posts $1.3 billion profit; new CEO named

Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:52 -0400

GM. POSTS. $1.3 BILLION PROFIT; NEW CEO NAMED
As General Motors reports second consecutive quarterly profit, the
auto maker says CEO Ed Whitacre Jr. will turn over the reins to
director Dan Akerson effective Sept. 1.

GM TO FILE FOR IPO WITHIN DAYS, REPORTS SAY
General Motors may reportedly file for an initial public offering of
stock as soon as Friday.

YEN WEAKENS AFTER OFFICIALS SHARPEN WARNINGS
The U.S. dollar gains against its Japanese counterpart amid reports
that Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the yen's rise 'rough,' even
though he stopped short of indicating any action would be taken to
weaken the Japanese currency.

CHINA'S YEN-ASSET BUYS HURTING JAPAN EXPORTERS
Japanese exporters continue to fall on fear that the yen may rise
further, particularly as China looks likely to continue it purchases
of Japanese assets, given their relative safety.

GLOBAL PLAN NEEDED TO STOP FAILING BIG BANK: PANEL
The financial crisis has revealed the need for an international plan
to handle the collapse of a giant financial institution so that its
failure doesn't cause collateral damage to the global markets, a
congressional watchdog group says.

International Headlines

Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:01:09 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 12 August, 2010

> STORM STALLS WORK ON GULF WELL
Remnants of what was Tropical Depression Five will likely reach
the northern Gulf Coast Thursday and will stall the crucial work
of permanently sealing BP's ruptured oil well.

> PAKISTANIS BEGIN RAMADAN AMID FLOODS
Pakistanis start the Muslim holy month of Ramadan surrounded by
floodwater that has devastated the country and inspired U.N.
calls for millions of dollars in aid.

> DEATH TOLL TOPS 1,100 IN CHINA MUDSLIDES
A 50-year-old man was saved Wednesday after three days trapped
in mudslides in northwest China, state media reported.

> CONDEMNED IRANIAN DENOUNCES LAWYER
A woman sentenced to death in Iran for adultery says she knew
about a plot to kill her husband but thought it a was joke. Her
lawyer says the remarks were coerced.

> STOCKS HIT AS GLOBAL MARKETS SHUN RISK
Global equity markets fell sharply on Wednesday and investors
sought the safety of government bonds as a deteriorating outlook
for economic growth, led by the US, fanned an aversion for
holding risky assets.

> ZIMBABWE 'HUMANE' DIAMONDS ON SALE
Zimbabwe launched its first multi-million dollar diamond sale
this week since obtaining certification last month that the
nation's precious stones are harvested humanely and are not
"blood diamonds."

> BOLIVIA: PROTESTERS' CLAIMS OFF BASE
The Bolivian government on Wednesday defended itself from
accusations that it has not invested enough in a southwestern
province that has found itself under siege by protesters for two
weeks.

> JURY: 14 YEARS FOR BIN LADEN'S DRIVER
A military jury at the U.S. facility in Guantanamo Bay
recommends a 14-year prison term for a Sudanese man who served
as cook and driver for Osama bin Laden.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> NEW GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS
Life has its share of both stormy and sunny moments. There are
clouds (your car broke down) and then there are silver linings
(but at least it's a nice day for a walk).

> BLACKBERRY FACING WOES IN INDIA
Indian businessman Paramjit Saluja battles two money-munching
time wasters in his auto exports business: New Delhi's trademark
traffic jams and the myriad time zones of his clients.

> TOYOTA STOPS CAR EXPORTS TO IRAN
Toyota Motors said Wednesday it's halting shipments to Iran
following international moves to put financial and commercial
pressure on Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Breaking News

Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:24:04 -0400

A 6.9-magnitude quake strikes Ecuador, southeast of Quito, according
to U.S. Geological Survey.

Initial unemployment claims rise to 484,000 in latest week, highest total in more than 5 months, government says.

Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:33:08 -0400

Initial unemployment claims rise to 484,000 in latest week, highest
total in more than 5 months, government says.

Markets, Wednesday, 08/11/2010

Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:31:05 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,378.83 down 265.42 | S & P : 1,089.47 down 31.59 |
| NASDAQ: 2,208.63 down 68.54. | Bond (10Y): 2.68% down 0.096
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
The Fed ate my savings!
Conservative investors who rely on Treasurys and CDs for steady income
are punished by the Fed's low rates and bond buying. That's why
dividend-paying stocks are gaining fans.

U.S. stocks slide on economic-recovery fears

Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:00:55 -0400

U.S. stocks slide on economic-recovery fears
U.S. stocks tumble sharply, echoing a retreat by equities around the
globe, as the Federal Reserve's stimulus plan intensifies worries
about the economic recovery.

DOLLAR, YEN JUMP AS GROWTH FEARS RATTLE MARKETS
The Japanese yen hits a new 15-year high versus the U.S. dollar.

TREASURYS GAIN AHEAD OF 10-YEAR AUCTION
Yields on 2-year Treasury notes get pushed to an all-time low,
underscoring investors' appetite for U.S. debt in the face of a more
dour economic outlook by the Federal Reserve. Data showing a wide U.S.
trade deficit reinforce the attractiveness of Treasurys as well. Bond
traders look to the impending $24 billion auction of 10-year notes.

ETFS THAT SHORT TREASURYS SUFFER BIG LOSSES
Betting against Treasury bonds was supposed to be the no-brainer
strategy for 2010. Instead, shorting government debt has brought steep
losses so far this year, due to surging bond prices as investors seek
safety on worries stocks could be hit by deflationary headwinds.

GOLD PRICES EDGE ABOVE $1,200 AN OUNCE
Gold prices rise as the U.S. trade deficit widens to a record 21-month
high in June, rekindling fears that the economic recovery is
faltering.

International Headlines

Date: Aug 11, 2010 5:02 AM
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 11 August, 2010

> RWANDANS AWAIT FINAL RESULTS WITH INCUMBENT FAVORED
Final results in Rwanda's second presidential election since the
1994 genocide are expected, with Paul Kagame favored to return
to power.

> MILITARY CHIEF TO FACE FLOTILLA INQUIRY
The head of Israel's military is expected to testify Wednesday
on the third day of the nation's inquiry into the mid-sea
interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla that left nine
people dead.

> VENEZUELA, COLOMBIA RENEW TIES
President Hugo Chavez and President Juan Manuel Santos have
re-established diplomatic relations between their countries
after meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia.

> POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE RATTLES VANUATU
A strong earthquake struck the island nation of Vanuatu on
Wednesday, the U. S. Geological Survey said.

> SUICIDE BOMBERS HIT KABUL GUEST HOUSE
Two suicide bombers attacked a guesthouse in central Kabul
Tuesday, killing three people, said Afghanistan's Interior
Ministry.

> GROUPS WORRY OVER WIKILEAKS POSTINGS
Several humanitarian organizations have reached out to WikiLeaks
to warn that the leaked documents it posts on its site could
endanger the lives of civilians whose names appear in them,
according to an e-mail exchange that apparently was leaked.

> HEATWAVE HITS RUSSIAN GROWTH FORECAST
Russia has begun counting the economic toll of the worst
heatwave since records began as economists warned that the
wildfires and disastrous summer harvest could wipe as much as 1
per cent off the country's economic growth.

> U.S. SENATOR AMONG PLANE CRASH VICTIMS
Ex-Sen. Ted Stevens' family won't confirm reports he was on a
plane that crashed in Alaska. A colleague says Ex-NASA chief
Sean O'Keefe was on the plane.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> NO EVIDENCE OF TOYOTA THROTTLE FAULTS
A preliminary US government investigation has found no evidence
of defects in Toyota's electronic throttle control systems,
pointing instead to driver error as the main cause of accidents
blamed on unintended acceleration.

> CHINA BANKS TOLD TO ACCOUNT FOR LOANS
Chinese banks have been ordered to account for around Rmb2,300bn
($340bn) in off-balance sheet loans in a move that could put
some lenders under serious stress and require another large
round of capital-raising.

> FEDERAL RESERVE: RECOVERY LOSING STEAM
The U.S. economic recovery is weakening, the Federal Reserve
warned at the conclusion of its meeting Tuesday, its most
bearish outlook in more than a year

Markets, Tuesday, 08/10/2010

Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:31:07 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,644.25 down 54.50 | S & P : 1,121.06 down 6.73 |
| NASDAQ: 2,277.17 down 28.52 | Bond (10Y): 2.78% down 0.041
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks recoup losses after Fed
Stocks pare losses after the Fed says recovery is weakening. Central
bank will not shrink its balance sheet to help keep the economy on
solid ground.

House approves $26 billion in aid for states to prevent teacher layoffs and bolster Medicaid.

Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:31:04 -0400

House approves $26 billion in aid for states to prevent teacher
layoffs and bolster Medicaid.

Fed acts to stimulate economy through debt repurchases, maintains rates near zero percent.

Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Fed acts to stimulate economy through debt repurchases, maintains
rates near zero percent.

Fed holds rates at record low; bank to reinvest proceeds of mortgage-backed securities

Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Fed holds rates at record low; bank to reinvest proceeds of
mortgage-backed securities
08/10/2010 02:18:35 PM EDT

Breaking News - Sen. Ted Stevens dies in Alaska plane crash

Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010

JUNEAU, Alaska - A spokesman for the family of Ted Stevens says the
former senator has died in a plane crash in Alaska. Mitch Rose tells
The Associated Press that the family had been notified that the
86-year-old Stevens was among those killed.

Unusual uncertainty clouds Fed meeting

Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010

UNUSUAL UNCERTAINTY CLOUDS FED MEETING
Federal Reserve officials kick off their one-day meeting, as
economists offer predictions about what steps they might take in
response to the recent downshift in economic growth.

TUI TRAVEL LEADS DECLINERS IN WEAK FTSE INDEX
Travel stocks and house builders fall in British trading, amid signs
that the environment is getting tougher for firms closely leveraged to
consumer spending.

BANK OF JAPAN STANDS PAT ON RATES, OUTLOOK
The Bank of Japan votes unanimously to leave its policy interest rate
unchanged, as widely expected, while also keeping its economic outlook
steady and announcing no new major monetary easing moves.

NONFARM PRODUCTIVITY DROPS 0.9% IN SECOND QUARTER
The data mark the first decline after five quarters of strong
productivity growth. But figures also hint at the need for employers
to begin bringing on new hires.

THE JOBLESS RECOVERY WON'T GO FURTHER WITHOUT JOBS
A drop in productivity shows that American workers are stretched to the limit.

Breaking News

Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:59:04 -0400

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of
Vanuatu, the U.S. Geological Survey says.

U.S. nonfarm productivity gauge turns negative in second quarter

Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:34:27 -0400

U.S. nonfarm productivity gauge turns negative in second quarter
08/10/2010 08:32:32 AM EDT

Markets, Monday, 08/9/2010

Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Dow : 10,698.75 up 45.19 | S & P : 1,127.79 up 6.15
|
|NASDAQ: 2,305.69 up 17.22 | Bond (10Y): 2.82% down 0.002
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks hold gains ahead of Fed
Investors remain focused on outlook for economic recovery. World
markets end mixed.

U.S. stocks rise as market awaits Fed

Date: Aug 9, 2010 12:00 PM

U.S. STOCKS RISE AS MARKET AWAITS FED
U.S. stocks edged up slightly Monday as investors grew tentatively hopeful that a recent spate of disappointing economic data could prompt more stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve. 

THE RISE AND FALL OF MARK HURD
Mark Hurd was a little-known executive from Ohio when he was tapped to lead Hewlett-Packard five years ago, after one of the most turbulent periods in the Silicon Valley icon's history.  See full story.

H-P'S HURD RESIGNS AFTER SEXUAL-HARRASSMENT PROBE
Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd resigns following an investigation of a claim of sexual harassment against him and the company by a former contractor. 

H-P'S HURD MAY HAVE HAD TOO MUCH POWER

It seems Pattie Dunn was right. The former Hewlett-Packard chairman preached strict corporate governance, but her words went unheeded amid a corporate spying scandal. Now with the sudden resignation of H-P CEO Mark Hurd, her words are coming back to haunt the company. 

BIG SHOCKER FOR H-P AS MARK HURD STEPS DOWN
Hewlett-Packard Co. sought to soothe investors after CEO Mark Hurd's shocking and abrupt resignation Friday, but that'll be a hard sell. 

Breaking News

Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 22:07:03 -0400
Subject: CNN Breaking News

At least 65 people reported killed Sunday from overnight landslides in
northwest China, according to state-run media.

Markets, Friday, 08/6/2010

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,653.56 down 21.42 | S & P : 1,121.64 down 4.17 |
| NASDAQ: 2,288.47 down 4.59 | Bond (10Y): 2.82% down 0.091
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end lower as job concerns weigh
Investors remain cautious as fresh weakness in the job market adds to
worries about the slowing economic recovery.

Treasury yields touch new lows after payrolls

Date: Friday, August 6, 2010

Treasury yields touch new lows after payrolls
A weak report on the U.S. labor market raises expectations that the
Federal Reserve may take steps next week toward using monetary policy
to support the economy.

U.S. STOCKS DROP ON DISAPPOINTING JOBS REPORT
U.S. stocks slide Friday as Wall Street shows its disappointment over
the government's July jobs numbers.

GOLD FUTURES JUMP 1% TO TOP $1,200 AN OUNCE
Gold jumps more than $12 in late morning activity, recapturing the
$1,200 mark and then some as investors worry about the U.S. employment
picture and the dollar continues a steep decline.

CRUDE DECLINES AFTER U.S. JOBS DATA DISAPPOINT
Oil prices fall after data show a smaller-than-expected increase in
private nonfarm payrolls in July, reigniting worries about the U.S.
economy and its impact on energy demand.

GERMAN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SEES UNEXPECTED SLIP
The 0.6% decline reported for June industrial production isn't likely
to have put a major dent in Germany's second-quarter economic growth,
economists say.

Economy lost 131,000 jobs in July, due to decline in census jobs, U.S. says. Private-sector increases 71,000. Unemployment rate 9.5%.

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 08:32:06 -0400

Economy lost 131,000 jobs in July, due to decline in census jobs, U.S.
says. Private-sector increases 71,000. Unemployment rate 9.5%.

Breaking News: Unemployment rate unchanged at 9.5 percent

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:38:31 -0600

Private U.S. employers added 71,000 jobs in July; unemployment rate
unchanged at 9.5 percent.

Markets, Thursday, 08/5/2010

Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 17:31:03 -0400
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,674.98 down 5.45. | S & P : 1,125.81 down 1.43
|
|NASDAQ: 2,293.06 down 10.51 | Bond (10Y): 2.92% down 0.037
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end lower as jobs report looms
Investors turn cautious ahead of Friday's jobs report. Weekly jobless
claims rise to highest level in 3 months.

Senate confirms Elena Kagan as 112th Supreme Court justice.

Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:44:55 -0600

Senate confirms Elena Kagan as 112th Supreme Court justice.

For the first time in decades, Social Security in 2010 and 2011 will pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes, U.S. says.

ODate: Thursday, August 5, 2010

For the first time in decades, Social Security in 2010 and 2011 will
pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes, U.S. says.

Number of Americans filing for initial unemployment claims climbs 19,000 to 479,000 in latest week.

Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010

Number of Americans filing for initial unemployment claims climbs
19,000 to 479,000 in latest week.

Markets, Wednesday, 08/4/2010

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 17:31:03 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,680.43 up 44.05 | S & P : 1,127.24 up 6.78
|
| NASDAQ: 2,303.57 up 20.05 | Bond (10Y): 2.95% up 0.038
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks edge up as jobs picture comes into focus
Investors welcome better-than-expected jobs and service sector data,
but the tone is cautious ahead of the all-important U.S. jobs report
due later this week.

Energy: BP's grand milestone in the Gulf

Date: 4 AUG 2010 20:19:05 GMT

One-hundred and seven days after bursting on the scene, BP's runaway
well off Louisiana finally has been pronounced dead, stuffed with
heavy drilling mud.

Could the government create a backdoor stimulus?

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:00:49 -0400

Could the government create a backdoor stimulus?
An idea that could create a massive refinance wave -- and a back-door
stimulus program to boost consumer spending -- is generating debate
among investment bank analysts in New York and in Washington policy
circles.

UPDATES, ADVISORIES AND SURPRISES
A roundup of the latest corporate earnings reports and what companies
are saying about future quarters.

TIME WARNER PROFIT UP 7% ON AD SALES, BOX OFFICE
Quarterly profit rises on improved advertising sales at its
cable-television networks and box-office proceeds from "Clash of the
Titans" and "Sex and the City 2."

TIME WARNER: SO FAR, SO GOOD
It seems hard to believe that Time Warner Inc. is one of the most
boring media giants around.

AOL LOSES $1.1 BILLION ON RESTRUCTURING COSTS
The New York-based Web service firm's quarterly loss includes a
goodwill impairment charge of $1.4 billion.

ISM's U.S. services-sector gauge strengthens in July; stocks react positively

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:07:35 -0400

ISM's U.S. services-sector gauge strengthens in July; stocks react positively
08/04/2010 10:05:48 AM EDT

Private sector payrolls rise by 42,000 in July, payroll processor ADP says; increase is less than economists expect

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 08:18:07 -0400

Private sector payrolls rise by 42,000 in July, payroll processor ADP
says; increase is less than economists expect

Breaking news: BP says 'desired outcome' reached in 'static kill'

Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:25:27 -0600

BP says it has reached the "desired outcome" in a procedure in which
it pumped mud down the throat of the blown-out well that is leaking in
the Gulf of Mexico.

Markets, Tuesday, 08/3/2010

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,636.38 down 38.00 | S & P : 1,120.46 down 5.40
|
| NASDAQ: 2,283.52 down 11.84 | Bond (10Y): 2.91% down 0.049
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks finish with a pullback
Investors pause a day after a big rally. Mixed earnings reports and
flat consumer spending, income data weigh on the market.

Savings rate at highest level in a year

Date: Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:57 -0400

SAVING RATE AT HIGHEST LEVEL IN A YEAR
The June incomes and spending report comes in slightly weaker than
economists had expected. Savings on the upswing. See full story.

TWO-YEAR TREASURY YIELDS FALL TO RECORD LOW
Treasury prices rose on Tuesday, pushing yields on 2-year notes to a
record low, after a published report saying the Federal Reserve may
buy more debt.

GM SALES SEE BIG REBOUND IN JULY
General Motors says combined July sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and
Cadillac jumped 25%.

BMW'S QUARTERLY PROFIT SURGES ON STRONG SALES
Second-quarter profit at German car maker BMW surges and beats analyst
estimates, as the global economic recovery stimulates customers'
appetite for luxury cars.

LAWSUIT ALLEGES TOYOTA KNEW OF ACCELERATION ISSUES
A federal lawsuit reportedly alleges Toyota Motor Corp. knew its
vehicles with electronic throttles were more likely to experience
sudden acceleration that those without the system.

Personal income and spending unchanged in June; government says, weaker than economists' forecasts.

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 08:33:04 -0400

Personal income and spending unchanged in June; government says,
weaker than economists' forecasts.

Markets, Monday, 08/2/2010

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,674.38 up 208.44 | S & P : 1,125.86 up 24.26
|
| NASDAQ: 2,295.36 up 40.66 | Bond (10Y): 2.96% up 0.056
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
What worry? Stocks roar
Wall Street rallies on strong earnings from European banks and upbeat
reports on U.S. manufacturing, construction spending.

U.S. stocks rally as Bernanke speaks on economy

Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:00:54 -0400

U.S. STOCKS RALLY AS BERNANKE SPEAKS ON ECONOMY

U.S. stocks surge as better-than-expected construction spending and
manufacturing data add to mounting optimism over encouraging European
bank earnings.

BERNANKE SAYS STATES SHOULD BUILD BIGGER BUFFERS
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Monday called for states to
build up larger rainy-day funds as he said consumer spending is set to
sustain the economic recovery.

GEITHNER: BANK REFORM CAN'T MOVE AT 'GLACIAL' PACE
Bank and securities regulators need to move quickly to write rules
based on sweeping bank reform legislation approved in the wake of the
financial crisis, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says in remarks
expected to be delivered later Monday.

AUGUST IS A GOOD MONTH FOR STOCKS
August over the past century has been one of the better months of the
calendar for the stock market, while September has been the worst.

ISM gauge shows U.S. factory-sector expansion but at 2010's slowest pace

Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:18:15 -0400

ISM gauge shows U.S. factory-sector expansion but at 2010's slowest pace
08/02/2010 10:16:24 AM EDT

Manufacturing activity expands at slower pace in July, according to purchasing managers' index. Figure tops forecasts.

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 10:06:03 -0400

Manufacturing activity expands at slower pace in July, according to
purchasing managers' index. Figure tops forecasts.

International Headlines

Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 05:02:05 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 02 August, 2010

> BP GEARS UP FOR 'STATIC KILL' EFFORT TO PLUG OIL WELL
Efforts to permanently seal the ruptured oil well in the Gulf of
Mexico with mud and cement could begin as early as Monday night,
according to BP officials.

> SPACE STATION MAY NEED SPACEWALK FIXES
Crew members on the International Space Station may need to
conduct spacewalks this week to fix the station's cooling
system, NASA has said.

> PAKISTAN: FLOOD DEATHS TOP 1,100
The devastating floods in Pakistan have killed more than 1,100
people, officials say. Another 30,000 people were stranded
trying to escape rushing floodwaters.

> MORE THAN 100 DEAD IN CHINA FLOODING
Flooding and landslides in northeastern China left have more
than 100 people dead or missing, the state-run Xinhua news
agency reported Sunday, citing provincial officials.

> CUBA TO ALLOW MORE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
Cuban President Raul Castro said Sunday that his government
would allow more private businesses and make it easier for those
businesses to hire workers, as the socialist economy struggles
to get back on its feet and shed up to one million redundant
state jobs.

> IRAQ, U.S. OFFER CONFLICTING DEATH TOLL
The U.S. disputes Iraqi figures that indicated July was the
deadliest month for civilians there since May 2008, saying the
actual numbers are less than half reported.

> ISRAEL URGES ABBAS TO RESTART TALKS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday to restart peace
talks with Israel saying he hopes Abbas "will accede not only to
my call, but to that of many in the international community."

> REPORT: BP USED EXCESSIVE DISPERSANTS
Documents released by a congressional subcommittee indicate that
Coast Guard officials allowed BP to use excessive amounts of
chemical dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> IS CHINA SECOND-LARGEST ECONOMY?
A senior Beijing official's reference to China as the "world's
second-largest economy" has sparked excited speculation that it
may have already reached a long-looming milestone by surpassing
Japan.

> STRIKES, ASH WIDEN QUARTERLY BA LOSS
British Airways on Friday announced a pre-tax loss of 164
million pounds ($256.5 million) for the three months ending June
30.

> SPAIN UNEMPLOYMENT OVER 20%
Spain's unemployment rate rose to 20.09 percent for the second
quarter of 2010, up from 20.05 percent from the previous
quarter, Spain's National Statistics Institute said Friday.

China's manufacturing sees first contraction since March 2009, HSBC survey shows

Date: Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:47:08 -0400

China's manufacturing sees first contraction since March 2009, HSBC survey shows
08/01/2010 10:45:26 PM EDT

Markets, Friday, 07/30/2010

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:31:07 -0400
|
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,465.94 down 1.22 | S & P : 1,101.60 up 0.07
|
| NASDAQ: 2,254.70 up 3.01 | Bond (10Y): 2.91% down 0.092
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks: Best monthly gain in a year
Major indexes end flat Friday, but post the first monthly rise since April.

Stocks cap the best monthly gain in a year, with all three major indexes rising more than 7% in July.

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:02:06 -0400

Stocks cap the best monthly gain in a year, with all three major
indexes rising more than 7% in July.

Breaking news: July 2010 the deadliest month of Afghan war

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:59:53 -0600

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Associated Press is reporting that three
U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan, bringing the
toll for July to at least 63. That makes it the deadliest month for
American forces in the nearly 9-year-war.

U.S. stocks slump as growth figures disappoint

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:00:58 -0400

U.S. STOCKS SLUMP AS GROWTH FIGURES DISAPPOINT
U.S. stocks fall Friday after government data showed economic growth
slowed in the second quarter, though they regain some lost ground
after better-than-expected reports on consumer confidence and
manufacturing.

MERCK'S PROFIT DROPS ON MERGER COSTS, REVAMP
Merck & Co. reports sharply lower second-quarter earnings, its bottom
line dragged down by costs associated with its recent takeover of
rival Schering-Plough Corp and a continuing restructuring program.

CHEVRON PROFIT TRIPLES AS REFINING RECOVERS
Chevron on Friday said its second-quarter net income tripled on higher
crude prices and a 3% rise in oil production, as the oil giant beat
Wall Street's profit target.

AEP'S QUARTERLY NET FALLS ON ONE-TIME COSTS
American Electric Power's second-quarter net earnings fall, but
adjusted profit comes in ahead of analysts' consensus forecast.

ROSY SECOND-HALF OUTLOOK LIFTS ALCATEL-LUCENT
Shares of Alcatel-Lucent rise as much as 8% as the telecoms-equipment
giant reports in-line underlying earnings.

International Headlines

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:02:04 -0400
TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 30 July, 2010

> PRIVATE SUSPECTED IN WIKILEAKS TRANSFERRED
An Army private suspected of leaking classified material,
including videos and other documents, has been moved from Kuwait
to a Marine Corps brig in Virginia.

> DAUGHTERS: MOM IN BABY CASE SECRETIVE
A French woman who admitted to giving birth to and smothering
eight babies over a 17-year period was secretive but always
supportive of her family, two of her daughters say in a local
newspaper report.

> BA POSTS PRE-TAX LOSS OF $256.5 MILLION
British Airways announces a pre-tax loss of 164 million pounds
($256.5 million) for the three months ending June 30.

> NEW BP BOSS TO DISCUSS GULF RECOVERY
Incoming BP CEO Bob Dudley is expected to discuss the oil
giant's long-term recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico during
a news conference in Mississippi on Friday.

> OFFICIALS: MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKER SLAIN
Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel, a top leader of the Sinaloa drug
cartel, was killed during a military raid in Guadalajara,
Mexico, sources say.

> ISRAELI CITY HIT BY PALESTINIAN ROCKET
The Israeli city of Ashkelon was hit by a rocket fired by
Palestinian militants in Gaza early Friday, causing minor
damage, but no injuries, the Israel Defense Forces spokesman
said.

> GULF OIL CLEANUP CHIEF DETAILS PLANS
The man overseeing the federal response to the Gulf oil disaster
will meet New Orleans parish presidents Thursday to outline the
plans after the well is permanently sealed.

> U.N., N. KOREA BACK IN SHIP SINKING TALKS
The U.S.-led United Nations Command will meet again Friday with
North Korea to discuss the sinking of a South Korean warship,
according to the U.S. Forces Korea website.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> AT $139, IS THE NEW KINDLE 'CHEAP'?
Prices in consumer electronics tend to fluctuate wildly.

> DEATH TOLL UP IN CHINESE FACTORY BLAST
The death toll stands at 13 in Wednesday's blast at a factory in
the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, state-run Xinhua news
agency reported, citing remarks by authorities on Thursday.

> WHY IS OBAMA TAKING ON BIG BUSINESS?
Corporate chiefs may seem hardboiled, but they can be sensitive,
too. Take the ruckus they've been raising over what they
perceive to be rough treatment from the Obama White House.

U.S. economy grows at 2.4% annual rate in 2nd quarter, government says; 4th straight quarter of growth but below forecasts.

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:31:04 -0400

U.S. economy grows at 2.4% annual rate in 2nd quarter, government
says; 4th straight quarter of growth but below forecasts.

Major U.S. indexes edge into positive territory; Dow, S&P 500 erase weekly losses

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:48:24 -0400

Major U.S. indexes edge into positive territory; Dow, S&P 500 erase
weekly losses
07/30/2010 10:46:38 AM EDT

Stocks tumble at the open, with the Dow losing 91 points, after government reports pace of economic growth slowed in second quarter.

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:33:04 -0400

Stocks tumble at the open, with the Dow losing 91 points, after
government reports pace of economic growth slowed in second quarter.

Markets, Thursday, 07/29/2010

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,467.16 down 30.72 | S & P : 1,101.53 down 4.60 |
| NASDAQ: 2,251.69 down 12.87 | Bond (10Y): 3.00% down 0.002
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks edge lower
Markets bothered by comments from a Fed governor about deflation and
worries about GDP report.

International Headlines

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:02:07 -0400

> DAY OF MOURNING HELD FOR CRASH VICTIMS IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan is observing a day of mourning for the 152 people who
died when a passenger plane went down in the outskirts of the
capital Islamabad the day before.

> S. KOREAN PM OFFERS SECOND RESIGNATION
South Korea's prime minister has offered to resign for a second
time, the prime minister's office said Thursday, after failure
to win parliamentary approval to stop relocation of government
offices out of the capital, Seoul.

> POLICE: 8 DEAD BABIES FOUND IN FRANCE
French police have detained a couple after the bodies of eight
newborn babies were found in northern France, some in a home and
others in the garden of another home.

> MILITARY PLANE CRASHES IN ALASKA
An Air Force C-17 cargo plane crashed on a local training
mission near the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska on
Wednesday, a captain at the base said.

> CHINA FLOODS PUSH CHEMICALS INTO RIVER
Rising waters from flooding in northeastern China hit a chemical
plant and washed thousands of containers filled with explosive
chemicals into a river, state media said Thursday.

> BP OPTIMISTIC WELL WILL BE SEALED SOON
One hundred days after an oil well operated by BP ruptured in
the Gulf of Mexico, the man overseeing the federal response is
optimistic it will soon be permanently sealed.

> JUDGE BLOCKS ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW
A U.S. judge has blocked one of the most controversial parts of
an Arizona immigration law, preventing police from questioning
people about their immigration status.

> PENTAGON HAS 'MAIN SUSPECT' IN LEAK
The Pentagon is focusing on jailed U.S. soldier Bradley Manning
as the main suspect behind the leak of thousands of secret
Afghan war papers, a senior official says.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> SPECTER OF ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW SLOWLY DRAINS ECONOMY
Jairo Tellez's seafood distribution business is a family affair.
In the industrial warehouse that houses J and V Mariscos on the
west side of Phoenix, his wife, Vicki, and four of his seven
children load trucks, take phone calls, enter data and help care
for his infant grandson, who has a crib in Tellez's office.

> ARCELORMITTAL WARNS ON PACE OF UPTURN
Lakshmi Mittal sounded a warning note over the pace of the world
recovery after ArcelorMittal announced a 146 per cent rise in
underlying profits in the second quarter, compared with the same
period last year.

> SPAT HITS VENEZUELA-COLOMBIA TRADE
After the Colombian government accused Venezuela of harboring
terrorists last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke off
relations with his neighbor, the latest in a financially-costly
series of spats.

Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell 11,000 in the latest week to 457,000.

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:34:03 -0400

Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell
11,000 in the latest week to 457,000.

.U.S. stocks slip into negative territory; consumer-staples sector is hardest hit

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:26:01 -0400

U.S. stocks slip into negative territory; consumer-staples sector is hardest hit
07/29/2010 11:24:05 AM EDT

Markets, Wednesday, 07/28/2010

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:32:07 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,497.88 down 39.81 | S & P : 1,106.13 down 7.71 |
| NASDAQ: 2,264.56 down 23.69 | Bond (10Y): 3.00% down 0.046
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks fall on economic fears
Market slides after weaker durable goods orders report adds to worries
about growth.

Breaking News: Judge blocks parts of Ariz. immigration law

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:51:22 -0700 (PDT)

A judge has blocked the most controversial sections of Arizona's new
immigration law from taking effect Thursday, handing a major legal
victory to opponents of the crackdown.

U.S. stocks mildly lower after data disappoint

Date: Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 12:00 PM

U.S. STOCKS MILDLY LOWER AFTER DATE DISAPPOINT
U.S. stocks fall as another piece of disappointing economic data threatens to snap a four-day win streak for Wall Street.

BP TAKING $10 BILLION TAX CREDIT FROM SPILL
Outgoing CEO Tony Hayward says the company has followed IRS regulations as they're currently written.

BP APPOINTS ROBERT DUDLEY AS NEW CEO
BP's new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that sealed the deal for the board. 

SURPRISE DROP IN JUNE U.S. DURABLE-GOODS ORDERS
Weakness in many categories of built-to-last products drive orders for new U.S.-made durable goods down by 1.0% in June, the second straight monthly decline and the biggest drop in 10 months, Commerce Department data show.

Markets open lower after a report shows a decline in manufacturing. Dow dips 12 points.

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:31:04 -0400

Markets open lower after a report shows a decline in manufacturing.
Dow dips 12 points.

Breaking News

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:00:07 -0400

Pentagon official says jailed U.S. soldier Bradley Manning is main
suspect in case of leaked Afghanistan war documents.

U.S. orders for durable goods unexpectedly weaken, down 1% for June

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:33:55 -0400

U.S. orders for durable goods unexpectedly weaken, down 1% for June
07/28/2010 08:31:59 AM EDT

Breaking News

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:32:06 -0400

No survivors on board Pakistani Airblue plane that crashed outside
Islamabad, official says, confirming 152 people dead.

International Headlines

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:02:04 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 28 July, 2010

> EIGHT PULLED ALIVE FROM PAKISTANI PLANE CRASH
Eight survivors have been pulled from the wreckage of a
Pakistani Airblue passenger plane carrying 152 people which
crashed into hills outside Islamabad.

> AU RELUCTANT TO CHANGE ROLE IN SOMALIA
The African Union summit ended Tuesday without a resolution to
change the mandate of its mission in Somalia from peacekeeping
to peace enforcing, despite calls from some African leaders to
do so.

> REPORT: BILLIONS FOR IRAQ UNACCOUNTED
A federal audit of $9.1 billion targeted for reconstruction in
Iraq cannot account for more than 95 percent of it, a federal
report said Tuesday.

> S. KOREA-U.S. DRILLS ENTER FOURTH DAY
The United States and South Korea on Wednesday plan to end their
joint military exercises aimed at warning North Korea to stop
acts of aggression.

> CHINA: EXPLOSION AT FACTORY KILLS SIX
A plastics factory in eastern China exploded Wednesday, killing
at least three people and sending hundreds more to the hospital,
state media reported.

> U.S.: LEAKED REPORTS NOT TOP-SECRET
American officials from U.S. President Barack Obama down are
trying to downplay the leak of tens of thousands of documents
about the war in Afghanistan.

> IRAN 'READY TO RESOLVE NUCLEAR DISPUTE'
Iran is ready for "effective cooperation" to resolve the dispute
over its nuclear program, the nation's president, Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, said in an interview with state media.

> BLIX: U.S. WAS 'HIGH ON MILITARY' OVER IRAQ
The man who led the effort to find Iraq's suspected nuclear,
chemical, and biological weapons programs, criticizes the U.S.
and Britain for launching the war without evidence.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> STARCRAFT: S. KOREA'S `NATIONAL SPORT'?
In South Korea, the launch of "StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty"
is more than just a follow-up to one of the PC industry's
top-selling games -- it could shake up what many see as the
North Asian country's national sport.

> BUSINESS SCHOOLS TEACHING HAYWARD DISASTER LESSONS
BP's chief Tony Hayward is getting a lot of attention at
colleges across the country. His actions during the Gulf oil
spill are being studied as an example of how NOT to handle a
disaster.

> NEXT BP BOSS VOWS TO LEARN FROM SPILL
BP documents sent to the U.S. Coast Guard this month provide the
"smoking gun" -- showing the extent of oil spewed from the oil
giant's crippled well into the Gulf of Mexico, the head of the
House Energy and Environment Subcommittee said Tuesday.

Markets, Tuesday, 07/27/2010

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:31:04 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,537.69 up 12.26 | S & P : 1,113.84 down 1.17
|
| NASDAQ: 2,288.25 down 8.18 | Bond (10Y): 3.05% up 0.053
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks: Earnings help, economy hurts
Markets end mixed as strong quarterly results from DuPont and others
compete with a weaker-than-expected report on consumer sentiment.

Stocks end mixed, with the Dow gaining 13 points, after strong corporate earnings overshadowed a gloomy consumer confidence report.

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:03:04 -0400

Stocks end mixed, with the Dow gaining 13 points, after strong
corporate earnings overshadowed a gloomy consumer confidence report.

GM sets $41,000 price for Chevrolet Volt electric car.

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:07:03 -0400

GM sets $41,000 price for Chevrolet Volt electric car.

U.S. stocks torn between corporate results, data

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:01:09 -0400

U.S. STOCKS TORN BETWEEN CORPORATE RESULTS, DATA
U.S. stocks climb Tuesday following a rise in U.S. home prices for May
along with another round of strong earnings.

BP REPORTS $17.2 BLN LOSS, APPOINTS DUDLEY CEO
Embattled U.K. oil giant BP PLC names Robert Dudley its new chief
executive, replacing Tony Hayward, as it reports a $17.2 billion
quarterly loss and takes $32.2 billion in charges linked to its
response to the Gulf of Mexico spill.

BP TAKING $10 BILLION TAX CREDIT FROM SPILL
Oil giant BP PLC will reduce its contribution to U.S. coffers by
roughly $10 billion due to a tax credit the company is claiming it
incurred from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

BP APPOINTS ROBERT DUDLEY AS NEW CEO
BP's new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with
wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much
as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that
sealed the deal for the board.

CONTROVERSIAL CLEANUP: BP'S FRAUGHT QUARTER
Gallery of pictures and charts illustrating the oil major's tough three months.

Consumer-confidence index falls in July to lowest level since February: Conference Board

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:07:10 -0400

Consumer-confidence index falls in July to lowest level since
February: Conference Board
07/27/2010 10:04:26 AM EDT

House prices up 1.3% in May from April in 20 U.S. metro areas, S&P/Case-Shiller data show

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:08:18 -0400

House prices up 1.3% in May from April in 20 U.S. metro areas,
S&P/Case-Shiller data show
07/27/2010 09:06:28 AM EDT

Breaking news: BP CEO Hayward to step down Oct. 1

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:18:18 -0600

LONDON -- BP says CEO Tony Hayward will step down on Oct. 1. He will
be succeeded by American Robert Dudley.

International Headlines

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:02:06 -0400
TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 27 July, 2010

> HAYWARD OUT AS BP POSTS MASSIVE $17 BILLION LOSS
BP announces beleagured boss Tony Hayward is to step down in
October, as the oil firm details the financial fallout of the
biggest oil spill in U.S. history.

> GREENPEACE TARGETS LONDON BP STATIONS
Greenpeace protesters shut down 10 to 15 BP stations in London
on Tuesday, after the oil company announced its second-quarter
results, BP said.

> BOSNIAN LEADER FACES EXTRADITION RULING
A judge is expected to decide Tuesday whether former Bosnian
leader Ejup Ganic should be extradited to Belgrade.

> AU COMMISSION: SOMALIA NEGLECTED
The lack of a global response to the Somali crisis has created
fertile ground for threats to regional peace in Eastern Africa
and the rest of the continent, the president of the African
Union Commission said Monday.

> LEAKED REPORTS DESCRIBE HORROR OF WAR
What appear to be U.S. reports leaked by a whistleblower website
chronicle in detail the twists, turns and horror of Operating
Enduring Freedom.

> KARZAI: NATO CAUSED 52 CIVILIAN DEATHS
Afghani President Hamid Karzai has slammed a NATO strike that he
said caused 52 civilian deaths. NATO says there is no evidence
of casualties beyond insurgents.

> OBJECTS FLOAT AWAY FROM SPACE STATION
The spacewalk Tuesday was meant to replace a video camera and
update cable connections to a module of the International Space
Station.

> ISRAELI HELICOPTER CRASHES IN ROMANIA
Seven people, including six Israelis, are feared dead after an
Israeli helicopter crashed in Romania on Monday during a joint
military exercise, the Romanian Defense Ministry said.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> APPLE'S IPAD GOES TO COLLEGE
The iPad is about to have its academic chops put to the test
this fall in a number of programs around the country.

> EU GREEN LIGHT FOR ICELAND ENTRY TALKS
European Union foreign ministers have formally given a green
light for negotiations to begin over Iceland's bid for
membership of the 27-country bloc.

> U.S. LAW TARGETS 'CONFLICT MINERALS' IN CONGO
A new U.S. law aims to ensure that the smart phone glued to your
ear is not helping fund wars in Congo and neighboring countries.

Markets, Monday, 07/26/2010

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:32:07 -0400

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10,525.43 up 100.81 | S & P : 1,115.01 up 12.35
|
| NASDAQ: 2,296.43 up 26.96 | Bond (10Y): 2.99% up 0.000
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks rally on housing, FedEx
Market gains as investors welcome delivery firm's improved outlook and
a rise in new home sales. Dow ends in positive territory for 2010.

BP board to rule on fate of CEO Hayward Monday

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:01:00 -0400

BP BOARD TO RULE ON FATE CEO HAYWARD MONDAY
BP will debate the fate of embattled Chief Executive Tony Hayward at a
board meeting this evening but stressed that no final decision has
been made.

U.S. STOCK GAINS HAVE DOW ERASING 2010 LOSSES
U.S. stocks climb for a third session, lifting the Dow industrials
back into positive territory for 2010 after the government reports
new-home sales rose in June and shipper FedEx Corp. hikes its outlook.

S&P 500 ETF MAY BE SENDING BEARISH SIGNAL
Investors are hoping a summer rally will revive their battered stock
portfolios, but the recent action in a key exchange-traded fund
tracking the Standard & Poor's 500 Index suggests a troubling lack of
buyer conviction.

BANKS DRIVE GAINS IN EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS
Investors take their first chance to react to news that only a handful
of lenders failed the European stress tests.

New home sales rise 23.6% in June to 330,000 annual rate, second-lowest rate since recordkeeping began, government says.

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:04:05 -0400

New home sales rise 23.6% in June to 330,000 annual rate,
second-lowest rate since recordkeeping began, government says.

International Headlines

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:02:07 -0400
TOP STORIES as of 0900 GMT -- 26 July, 2010

> KHMER ROUGE PRISON CHIEF GUILTY OF GENOCIDE
The Cambodian war crimes tribunal sentences Kaing Guek Eav,
alias Duch, to 35 years in prison for running a notorious
torture prison under the Khmer Rouge.

> LEAKED DOCUMENTS 'SHOCK' AFGHANISTAN
The Afghan government said Monday it was "shocked" as it sifted
through tens of thousands of leaked U.S. military and diplomatic
reports on the war in Afghanistan that a whistleblower website
posted a day earlier.

> IRAQ: SUICIDE BOMBER TARGETS AL-ARABIYA
A suicide car bomb targeted the bureau of al-Arabiya TV in
central Baghdad on Monday, Iraq's interior ministry said.

> BP: NO DECISIONS MADE ON CEO CHANGE
BP said Monday morning that no final decision had been made
regarding changes to the company's management.

> U.S., S. KOREA BEGIN MILITARY DRILLS
Amid heightened tensions with North Korea, the United States and
South Korea on Sunday began joint military exercises.

> FESTIVAL CANCELED AFTER DEATH STAMPEDE
The death toll from the stampede at a German music festival is
now at 19, police in Duisburg, Germany, said Sunday. The number
of people injured when chaos broke out at Saturday's "Love
Parade 2010" has also risen -- to 400, police said.

> SUSPECT IN MEXICO CAR ATTACK ARRESTED
A man who police say was responsible for a fatal car bombing in
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, that killed three people is in custody,
municipal police said.

> 1 KILLED, 10 WOUNDED IN BANGKOK BLAST
A bomb exploded Sunday in front of a busy shopping area in
Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least one man, authorities said.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> U.S. LAW TARGETS 'CONFLICT MINERALS' IN CONGO
A new U.S. law aims to ensure that the smart phone glued to your
ear is not helping fund wars in Congo and neighboring countries.

> SEVEN OUT OF 91 BANKS FAIL EU STRESS TESTS
Seven out of 91 European banks have failed an EU-wide test to
determine if they have enough capital to withstand future
potential economic shocks.