U.S. stocks close lower as record high crude weighs

Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:06:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks close lower as record high crude weighs

Stocks finish in negative territory, as a falling dollar and crude oil
topping $110 a barrel lead investors to rake in some profits from the
previous session's rally.

Futures Movers: Crude makes fresh gains to surpass $110 a barrel

Crude-oil futures end Wednesday's trading at a new closing high of
$109.92 a barrel after earlier topping $110 for the first time, as the
dollar fell to new lows and speculation increased in the futures
market.

Capitol Report: Unemployment benefits not reflecting today's reality

WASHINGTON
Too many out-of-work Americans are being left out of the unemployment
insurance program, the government's safey net which replaces a portion
of a worker's lost earnings, and critics say the program needs a
comprehensive overhaul to meet contemporary workforce needs.

David Weidner's Writing on the Wall: Commentary: Spitzer's bullying
scared his potential critics

NEW YORK
Wall Street knew what some of his most intimate friends didn't: At
times, Eliot Spitzer was a lying hypocrite.

Financial Stocks: Financials surrender earlier gains

Shares of Bear Stearns rise after the company's CEO Alan Schwartz
rejected speculation the firm was in dire straits.