U.S. stocks mostly lower after negative economic data

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:01:03 (GMT)

U.S. stocks mostly lower after negative economic data

U.S. stocks trim early gains after another round of economic data casts
a negative light on the U.S. economy.

Metals Stocks: Gold, platinum futures soar, establish latest record-high
prices

NEW YORK
Gold and platinum futures soared anew Thursday, establishing record
highs as other metals prices also rallied, boosted by weakness in the
dollar and gold's appeal as a hedge against inflation.

Crude drops below $99 after U.S. inventories data

SAN FRANCISCO
Crude-oil futures dropped Thursday, moving below $100 a barrel after
having rallied to a new record high in the previous session, as
government data showed U.S. crude inventories have risen more than
expected.

Nestle posts 16% increase in annual profit after raising prices

LONDON
Nestle reports a 16% improvement in 2007 profit as it reaped the
benefits of its increased focus on healthier foods and managed to pass
off higher commodity costs to consumers.

Emerging Markets Report: Rocky conditions cause a slowdown in Brazil's
IPO market

SAN FRANCISCO
Brazil's market for initial public offerings has cooled from its
white-hot pace last year with companies deciding that conditions in the
broader equity market are too rough to launch new issues, according to a
report.