Oil jumps over $3 after report on U.S. shots at Iran boat

Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:01:04 (GMT)

Oil jumps over $3 after report on U.S. shots at Iran boat

SAN FRANCISCO
Crude-oil futures spiked more than $3 a barrel in mid-morning trading on
Friday after news reports that U.S. military force fired at an Iranian
boat.

Economic Report: U.S. consumer sentiment sinks to 26-year low, survey
shows

High fuel and food prices, coupled with "shrinking" income gains and
falling home values, tugs an index tracking U.S. consumer sentiment
index to the lowest level in 26 years.

Microsoft shares fall on disappointing revenue, forecast

SAN FRANCISCO
Microsoft Corp. saw its shares slide Friday morning after the software
behemoth posted fiscal third-quarter results that revealed weakness in
its core Windows and Office businesses.

Market Snapshot: U.S. stocks lag as consumer confidence hits 26-year
low

U.S. stocks tumble after data showing consumer confidence at a 26-year
low and reports of shots fired in the Gulf propel oil prices higher.
Meanwhile, software giant Microsoft Corp.'s profit drop weighs on
technology.

American Express feeling pinch from economy, analysts say

American Express is feeling the pinch from a worsening U.S. economy as
financially stressed consumers make fewer payments less often, analysts
said Friday.