U.S. stocks close with modest gains on discount retail sales

Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 17:03:53 -0400
U.S. stocks close with modest gains on discount retail sales

Stocks remain higher, but shave earlier gains amid lingering worries
over the high price of gasoline and the shaky economy, with April retail
sales showing consumers still spending, but far more frugally.

Easter shift, discounts lift April sales; weak outlook still seen

Consumers seeking value and buying groceries and other necessities
bolstered April sales at discounters, and a tighter hold on wallets led
to cautious spending in discretionary items, yielding mixed results for
apparel retailers.

Jennifer Openshaw: The 15-minute tip: Focus on 'walkability' for health,
finances

Walked anywhere lately? And I don't mean just between the kitchen and
living room, but to get somewhere? Somewhere you might usually go by
car?

Therese Poletti's Tech Tales: Microsoft should nuke Vista instead of
Windows XP

There is not a chance that it'll ever happen, writes Therese Poletti,
but the software giant should euthanize Vista and write it off as a huge
mistake.