Japan's new finance minister call for weaker yen

Date: Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:00:58 -0500

JAPAN'S NEW FINANCE MINISTER CALL FOR WEAKER YEN
Japan's newly appointed Finance Minister Naoto Kan sends his nation's
currency significantly lower against its U.S. counterpart, as he uses
his inaugural press conference to talk down the yen.

DOLLAR UP AMID CHINA JITTERS, AHEAD OF U.S. JOBS
The dollar makes broad gains, in part precipitated by Japan's newly
appointed top finance official, who talks down the yen.

CHINESE CENTRAL BANK SENDS 'TIGHTENING SIGNAL'
China's central bank moves to guide interbank interest rates higher,
the latest in a series of actions that analysts say indicate a
"tightening bias" and could lay the groundwork for an eventual rate
hike.

SLOW GROWTH, LOW INFLATION STILL BEST BET: MINUTES
December meeting notes show central bankers still believe recovery
will be gradual, inflation will remain tame.

Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits climbed 1,000 last week to 434,000, U.S. says.

Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 08:33:07 -0500

Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits climbed
1,000 last week to 434,000, U.S. says.

Markets Wednesday, 01/6/2010

Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 17:31:04 -0500

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10573.68 up 1.66 | S & P : 1137.14 up 0.62
|
| NASDAQ: 2301.09 down 7.62 | Bond (10Y): 3.80%, 96.47
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks end with little change
A choppy session ends with the market in mixed territory as investors
consider reports on the labor market and the services sector. Dollar
flip flops.

Slow recovery still most likely scenario for economy: FOMC minutes

Date: Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:05:46 -0500

Slow recovery still most likely scenario for economy: FOMC minutes
1/6/2010 2:04:14 PM EDT

U.S. stocks struggle for early footing

Date: Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:58 -0500

U.S. STOCKS STRUGGLE FOR EARLY FOOTING
A government report of higher crude-oil inventories weighs on the
energy sector, offsetting cheer over expansion in the U.S.
non-manufacturing sector.

SNOW COSTS RETAILERS BUT ECONOMIC IMPACT SMALL
U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer says heavy snow falls over the past two
weeks have cost it "millions of pounds" in lost sales.

M&S SLUMPS AS LONDON WEAKENS
The air continues to come out of Marks & Spencer shares on Wednesday
as the clothing and food retailer reports weaker-than-expected sales.

M&S RETURNS TO GROWTH IN THE U.K.
Marks & Spencer Group reports a small increase in third-quarter sales.
But the company cautions that trading will remain challenging this
year.

RETAILERS MAY HAVE WON HOLIDAY GAME OF CHICKEN
Bolstered by last-minute shopping and the post-holiday bargain hunt,
investors in U.S. retail may be in store for a nice surprise in
December sales.

Markets Tuesday, 01/5/2010

Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:31:04 -0500
|
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dow : 10572.02 down 11.94 | S & P : 1136.52 up 3.53 |
| NASDAQ: 2308.71 up 0.29 | Bond (10Y): 3.75%, 96.88
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

MARKETS:
Stocks struggle after rally
Market churns as investors weigh reports on housing and factory
orders, one day after a big start to 2010.

Pending home sales fell 16% in November, as the rush to beat the original tax credit deadline eased, Realtors' group says.

Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 10:03:07 -0500

Pending home sales fell 16% in November, as the rush to beat the
original tax credit deadline eased, Realtors' group says.