U.S. stocks extend early gains after higher reading in ISM data

Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:01:04 (GMT)

U.S. stocks extend early gains after higher reading in ISM data

U.S. stocks move higher with early optimism about the technology sector
only slightly dampened by rising oil prices and data pointing to
climbing labor costs and 23,000 job losses in the private sector last
month.

OPEC leaves oil production unchanged
Ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries,
convening in Vienna as oil prices stubbornly hold above $100 a barrel,
decided Wednesday to leave the group's production levels unchanged.

Futures Movers: Crude rallies to new high of $103.98 as inventories
fall

Crude-oil futures surge nearly 3% to trade above $102 a barrel Wednesday
after data showed U.S. crude inventories fell unexpectedly and after the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to keep its
production levels unchanged.

Economic Report: Private-sector sheds 23,000 jobs in February, survey
shows

WASHINGTON
The nation's private-sector employment rolls dropped by 23,000 net jobs
in February, according to the ADP employment index released Wednesday.

Costco profit surges 31%; February sales up 7%
Costco Wholesale Corp., the largest U.S. wholesale club, said its
quarterly quarter jumped 31%, boosted by international demand and U.S.
sales of gasoline.