U.S. stocks end week sharply lower as oil surges

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 17:04:58 -0400
U.S. stocks end week sharply lower as oil surges

U.S. stocks finish with losses for the day and tumble sharply on the
week, as crude oil surges above $130 a barrel, putting pressure on a
market beseiged by worries that inflation will crimp consumpation and
further weaken the economy.

Futures Movers: Natural-gas futures near $12, close with an almost 7%
weekly gain

Natural-gas futures climb closer to $12 per million British thermal
units Friday, as concerns about the potential for disrupted output
during the Atlantic hurricane season feed a rally that lifted prices for
the commodity by almost 7% for the week.

Telecom Report: AT&T, Verizon bet they'll catch Sprint in 4-G wireless
race

"My network's better than your network." So goes the playground-like
argument that's raging in the telecom industry's fierce competition for
customers in "fourth-generation" wireless service.

Anheuser-Busch shares bounce on report of takeover bid

Shares of Anheuser-Busch pop after a published report says the brewer
could be the target of a takeover attempt by rival InBev.

Stocks end lower following a weak housing report and rebounding oil. Trading was thin ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 16:01:05 -0400

Stocks end lower following a weak housing report and rebounding oil.
Trading was thin ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

Breaking News Fri., May 23, 2008

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 09:35:08 -0700 (PDT)

TEXAS TO APPEAL RULING ON POLYGAMIST SECT KIDS ACCORDING TO STATE
SUPREME COURT SPOKESMAN, THE AP REPORTS

Natural-gas futures near $12 mark, set for 6% weekly gain

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 12:05:40 -0400
Natural-gas futures near $12 mark, set for 6% weekly gain

Natural-gas futures climb into uncharted territory close to $12 per
million British thermal units, playing off concerns about the Atlantic
Hurricane season, as crude-oil futures turn higher and stand ready to
end the week with a gain of more than 5%.
Commodities Corner: Oil's tense trading scene may sway a move to Dubai

The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange will launch trading of crude-oil
futures on Tuesday, a timely move given the astronomical prices for oil
and talk of U.S. regulation of speculators in the commodity markets.

Currencies: Dollar weakens as oil renews upside march

The dollar slips modestly against its bigger counterparts, pressured by
buoyant oil prices, but remains in relatively narrow ranges in quiet
trading ahead of a long holiday weekend for the U.S. and U.K.

Gap's results may signal turnaround under way: analysts

Gap Inc. posts a 40% jump in first-quarter profit, leading some analysts
to believe that the retailer's long-awaited turnaround may finally be
taking hold.

ECB rate hike seen as unlikely after weak purchasing data

A closely watched measure of business activity slows in five years in
May, likely eliminating any prospect an inflation-wary European Central
Bank will hike euro-zone interest rates.

Unsold houses on U.S. market hit 23-year high: Realtors

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 10:05:41 -0400

Unsold houses on U.S. market hit 23-year high: Realtors
5/23/2008 10:02:37 AM

Stocks fall at the open as crude prices resume their rally on a traditionally low volume day before the holiday.

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 09:33:03 -0400

Stocks fall at the open as crude prices resume their rally on a
traditionally low volume day before the holiday.

China: Earthquake death toll tops 51,000

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 06:35:56 -0500

NEWS

China: Earthquake death toll tops 51,000
---------------------------------------------
China said the death toll from last week's powerful earthquake jumped to
more than 51,000, while the government appealed Thursday for millions of
tents to shelter homeless survivors.

No bodies found at Manson's last hideout
---------------------------------------------
Investigators and scientists went to Charles Manson's last hideout to
hunt for clandestine graves that could contain other possible victims.
The closest thing they found were animal bones.

Israel: Syria must cut militant ties
---------------------------------------------
Israel's foreign minister is calling on Syria to cut its ties with Arab
militant groups if it wants to reach peace with Israel.

MONEY

U.N.: Global rice prices may start falling
---------------------------------------------
International rice prices may start falling as a result of excellent
production prospects this year, a U.N. food agency said Thursday.

Commodities bubble brews?
---------------------------------------------
Commodities are the first growth industry of the 21st century. The
prices of energy, basic metals and foodstuffs have soared, and so, some
say, has speculation. This year alone, cocoa is up 40%, copper has
soared 24%, and corn has risen 33%. And the price charts for some
commodities are beginning to look suspiciously like the Nasdaq fever
line in 1999, just before the tech-laden stock index crashed in March
2000. And, as the economy continues to work through the more recent
crash in home prices, the question inevitably arises: Is there a
commodities bubble brewing?

Markets Thursday, 05/22/2008

Thursday, 5/22/2008

| Dow : 12625.62 up 24.43

| S & P : 1394.35 up 3.64

| NASDAQ: 2464.58 up 16.31

| Bond (10Y): 3.91%, 99.56

MARKETS:
Stocks break losing streak
Wall Street crawls back after a two-session plunge, as oil prices
retreat from recent records and the dollar recovers.

U.S. stocks rise as oil backs off from record $135 level

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 17:04:54 -0400
U.S. stocks rise as oil backs off from record $135 level

U.S. stocks finish higher on Thursday, regaining some ground after two
days of heavy losses, as investors cheered oil's drop from record highs
above $135 a barrel and upbeat jobs data.

Futures Movers: Oil futures end lower to mark the first loss in a week

Crude-oil futures fall from a record peak above $135 a barrel Thursday
to mark their first loss in a week, as traders took profits from a
four-session winning streak that lifted prices for the commodity by more
than 7%.

U.S. inflation understated due to trio of factors: Pimco's Gross

The U.S. government has been understating inflation, which has led
investors to misprice stocks, bonds and real estate, according to
bond-fund manager Bill Gross.

Ford shifts output toward cars, crossovers; profit view revised

Ford Motor Co. will cut production and expects to be about breakeven in
2009 on a pretax basis, excluding items, citing a delay in North America
Automotive profitability.

Economic Report: Home prices down 1.7% in first quarter, U.S. agency
says

U.S. home prices fall a seasonally adjusted 1.7% in the first three
months of 2008 -- the largest quarterly price decline on record as
tracked by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.

Breaking News Thu., May 22, 2008

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 10:43:50 -0700

APPEALS COURT RULES TEXAS HAD NO RIGHT TO SEIZE HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN
FROM POLYGAMOUS SECT

U.S. stocks rise as oil backs off from record $135 level

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 12:03:27 -0400
U.S. stocks rise as oil backs off from record $135 level

U.S. stocks rose in morning trade Thursday, with investors cheering oil
backing off from record highs above $135 a barrel and a drop in jobless
claims after two days of heavy losses.

Ford shifts output toward cars, crossovers; profit view revised

Ford Motor Co. will cut production and expects to be about breakeven in
2009 on a pretax basis, excluding items, citing a delay in North America
Automotive profitability.

Futures Movers: Oil futures retreat from record $135-a-barrel level

Crude-oil futures retreat from an overnight record high above $135 a
barrel as traders lock in profits from a four-session winning streak
that's lifted prices for the commodity by more than 7%.

Indications: Futures rise slightly after two days of heavy losses

U.S. stock futures were broadly flat on Thursday after two days of heavy
losses, with oil futures continuing to surge, meeting the $135-a-barrel
landmark.

Economic Report: Home prices down 1.7% in first quarter, U.S. agency
says

U.S. home prices fall a seasonally adjusted 1.7% in the first three
months of 2008 -- the largest quarterly price decline on record as
tracked by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.

U.S. home prices down 1.7% in first quarter from fourth quarter of 2007

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 10:08:38 -0400

U.S. home prices down 1.7% in first quarter from fourth quarter of 2007
5/22/2008 10:05:38 AM

Stocks inch up at the open despite an analyst downgrade of big Wall Street firms and oil's record breaking rally.

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 09:33:03 -0400

Stocks inch up at the open despite an analyst downgrade of big Wall
Street firms and oil's record breaking rally.

China: Quake toll jumped to 80,000 dead, missing

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 06:39:52 -0500

NEWS

China: Quake toll jumped to 80,000 dead, missing
---------------------------------------------
China said the toll of dead and missing from last week's powerful
earthquake jumped to more than 80,000, while the government appealed
Thursday for millions of tents to shelter homeless survivors.

Iraqi forces load up on U.S. arms
---------------------------------------------
Iraq is becoming one of the largest customers for U.S. arms, as the
country turns from Soviet-bloc weapons to pricier but more sophisticated
American weapons.

MONEY |

U.N.: Global rice prices may start falling
---------------------------------------------
International rice prices may start falling as a result of excellent
production prospects this year, a U.N. food agency said Thursday.

Oil climbs to record $135 a barrel on supply worries, weak dollar
---------------------------------------------
Oil prices hit a record above $135 a barrel and fell back slightly in
Asia on Thursday, with supply worries, rising global demand and a
slumping dollar keeping crude futures on an upward track.

Commodities bubble brews?
---------------------------------------------
Commodities are the first growth industry of the 21st century. The
prices of energy, basic metals and foodstuffs have soared, and so, some
say, has speculation.

TECH

Phoenix carries NASA's hopes for rocket landings on Mars
---------------------------------------------
It has been 32 years since the NASA landed a Mars probe using
retrorockets to decelerate without air bags to cushion its touchdown.

Have laptop, will breeze through security?
---------------------------------------------
The Transportation Security Administration is moving closer to easing
one of the biggest post-9/11 security hassles: making airline travelers
take laptops out of cases at airport checkpoints.

Weekly first-time jobless claims nose down 9,000 in latest week; continuing claims flat

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 08:35:35 -0400

Weekly first-time jobless claims nose down 9,000 in latest week;
continuing claims flat
5/22/2008 8:32:18 AM

Market Briefing Newsletter for Wednesday, 05/21/2008

Wednesday, 5/21/2008

| Dow : 12601.19 down 227.49

| S & P : 1390.71 down 22.69

| NASDAQ: 2448.27 down 43.99

| Bond (10Y): 3.81%, 100.47

MARKETS:
Stocks slump on oil surge, day 2
Wall Street retreats as crude prices spike and Fed issues weaker 2008
outlook.

U.S. stocks tumble as central bank, oil fuel inflation worries

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 17:04:54 -0400
U.S. stocks tumble as central bank, oil fuel inflation worries

U.S. stocks close sharply lower after the release of the minutes of the
Federal Reserve's last meeting show central bankers hesitant to cut
interest rates further because of mounting inflation concerns.

Futures Movers: Oil closes above $133 on unexpected drop in U.S. crude
supply

Crude-oil futures climb past $132 a barrel to break another record level
after government data show that crude supplies unexpectedly dropped,
marking their first decline in five weeks.

American Airlines to cut capacity further, add new bag fee

American Airlines intends to slash its domestic capacity in the fourth
quarter, grounding aircraft and cutting back its workforce, because of
record fuel prices, economic concerns and competition, the carrier's
parent company AMR Corp. says.

Borders jumps on report of possible bid from Barnes & Noble

Shares of bookstore operator Borders Group Inc. jump on a report that
its larger rival Barnes & Noble Inc. is studying a possible bid.

Media Report: NBC Universal exec says advertisers will demand more of
VOD

Cable-based on-demand viewing of television shows has significant
potential for a variety of reasons but won't work as a business model if
consumers are able to fast-forward past commercials, according to a
senior NBC Universal executive.

Stocks sink for 2nd straight session as oil surges to $133 a barrel and the Fed cuts its growth outlook. Dow tumbles 225 points.

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 16:02:08 -0400

Stocks sink for 2nd straight session as oil surges to $133 a barrel and
the Fed cuts its growth outlook. Dow tumbles 225 points.

Fed lowers its 2008 economic growth forecast and raises projections for unemployment and inflation.

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 14:16:02 -0400

Fed lowers its 2008 economic growth forecast and raises projections for
unemployment and inflation.

Fed forecast of inflation in 2008 soars

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 14:04:59 -0400

Fed forecast of inflation in 2008 soars
5/21/2008 2:01:52 PM

Fed lowers its 2008 economic growth forecast and raises projections for unemployment and inflation.

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 14:16:02 -0400

Fed lowers its 2008 economic growth forecast and raises projections for
unemployment and inflation.

U.S. stocks hit as oil tops $132; investors await Fed minutes

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 12:03:42 -0400
U.S. stocks hit as oil tops $132; investors await Fed minutes

Stocks turn broadly lower on Wednesday, as oil prices surged past $132 a
barrel after data showed a drop in crude supplies, fueling concerns that
inflation will hurt U.S. consumption and the economy at large.

AMR's American to cut capacity further, adds new bag fee

American Airlines intends to slash its domestic capacity by a range of
11% to 12% in the fourth quarter, grounding aircraft and cutting back
its workforce, because of record fuel prices, economic concerns and
competition, the carrier's parent company AMR Corp. said Wednesday.

Futures Movers: Oil tops $132 as data show unexpected drop in U.S. crude
supply

Crude-oil futures climb past $132 a barrel to break another record level
on Wednesday after government data show crude supplies unexpectedly
dropped, marking their first decline in five weeks.

Borders jumps on report of possible bid from Barnes & Noble

Shares of bookstore operator Borders Group Inc. jump on a report that
its larger rival Barnes & Noble Inc. is studying a possible bid.

Media Report: NBC Universal exec says advertisers will demand more of
VOD

Cable-based on-demand viewing of television shows has significant
potential for a variety of reasons but won't work as a business model if
consumers are able to fast-forward past commercials, according to a
senior NBC Universal executive.

Stocks rise in the first moments of trade after oil prices back away from record highs.

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 09:32:09 -0400

Stocks rise in the first moments of trade after oil prices back away
from record highs.

Crude-oil futures rally past $130 a barrel for the first time

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 06:34:11 -0400

Crude-oil futures rally past $130 a barrel for the first time
5/21/2008 6:31:11 AM

Sen. Kennedy fights for his life

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 05:38:31 -0500

NEWS

Obama crosses key threshold
---------------------------------------------
A split decision in the Oregon and Kentucky primaries Tuesday pushed
Barack Obama across an important threshold, giving him a majority of
elected delegates and bolstering his claim to the Democratic
presidential nomination.

China death toll hits 41,000; companies lose $4.3B
---------------------------------------------
The confirmed death toll from the earthquake that struck southern China
rose to 41,353, Cabinet spokesman Guo Weimin said Wednesday. Another
32,666 remained missing. The government has previously said the final
deaths will surpass 50,000.

Sen. Ted Kennedy fights for his life
---------------------------------------------
The news that the Massachusetts Democrat is battling a virulent form of
brain cancer prompted a bipartisan outpouring of grief and good wishes
for the man Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell described as "one
of the most important figures ever to serve in this body in our
history."

MONEY

Honda to sell new gas-electric hybrid next year
---------------------------------------------
Honda will sell a new, improved and affordable gas-electric hybrid in
the U.S., Japan and Europe starting in early 2009, underlining the
Japanese automaker's commitment to "green" technology, the company
president said Wednesday.

'Wall Street Journal' gets new managing editor
---------------------------------------------
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. named Robert Thomson managing editor of "The
Wall Street Journal" on Tuesday, following the resignation last month of
Marcus Brauchli after less than a year on the job.

Oil rises above $130 for the first time
---------------------------------------------
Crude oil prices are shooting further into record territory, breaking
above $130 a barrel for the first time on persistent supply concerns and
a weaker dollar.

Obama projected winner of Oregon Democratic primary - Networks

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 23:16:16 -0400

Obama projected winner of Oregon Democratic primary - Networks
5/20/2008 11:13:25 PM

Breaking News: Clinton wins Ky. primary

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 18:14:32 -0500

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the
Democratic presidential primary in Kentucky. Exit polls of voters show
Clinton performed strongly among whites.

Stocks slide as oil near $130 fuels inflation concerns

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 17:04:49 -0400

Stocks slide as oil near $130 fuels inflation concerns

Stocks tumble sharply, as oil near $130 a barrel fuels concerns that
surging commodities prices will further crimp U.S. consumption, while an
official signals the central bank may be done with cutting interest
rates to boost the economy.

Futures Movers: Crude ends above $129, tallies three-session gain of 4%

Crude-oil futures travel to a new record high above $128 a barrel after
Monday's record high close, as investors bet that increasing demand will
exceed supply, despite increased production by Saudi Arabia.

Economic Report: Producer prices rise tame 0.2% in April

Wholesale prices rose a smaller-than-expected 0.2% in April after
seasonal adjustments, with food prices flat and energy prices falling,
the Labor Department reports.

The Fed: Fed wants to pause from rate cut campaign, Kohn signals

Interest rates are now low enough for the Federal Reserve to pause and
take a wait-and-see stance in coming weeks, influential Fed Vice
Chairman Donald Kohn says, but it might not be easy for the central bank
to take a break for long.

Senate panel approves housing rescue bill with little opposition

The Senate Banking Committee approves legislation to help the ailing
housing market and impose tougher rules on mortgage-finance giants
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; bill now moves to Senate floor where passage
is expected.

Stocks sink, with the Dow shedding 200 points, as a government report renewed inflationary concerns and oil hit a fresh record.

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 16:02:07 -0400

Stocks sink, with the Dow shedding 200 points, as a government report
renewed inflationary concerns and oil hit a fresh record.

Breaking News

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 13:12:02 -0400

Doctors say Sen. Edward Kennedy has brain tumor; condition discovered
after he had seizure.

Crude climbs closer to $130 on price forecasts, demand concerns

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 12:03:35 -0400

Crude climbs closer to $130 on price forecasts, demand concerns

Crude-oil futures travel to a new record high above $128 a barrel after
Monday's record high close, as investors bet that increasing demand will
exceed supply, despite increased production by Saudi Arabia.

Economic Report: Producer prices rise tame 0.2% in April

Wholesale prices rose a smaller-than-expected 0.2% in April after
seasonal adjustments, with food prices flat and energy prices falling,
the Labor Department reports.

The Fed: Fed wants to pause from rate cut campaign, Kohn signals

Interest rates are now low enough for the Federal Reserve to pause and
take a wait-and-see stance in coming weeks, influential Fed Vice
Chairman Donald Kohn says, but it might not be easy for the central bank
to take a break for long.

Home Depot, hurt by housing and economy, posts 66% profit drop

Home Depot Inc. reported Tuesday that first-quarter net income fell 66%,
hurt by economic worries that curtailed home-improvement spending and by
costs it incurred to close stores and abandon some new openings in its
pipeline.

Market Snapshot: Stocks slide as oil at $129 fuels inflation concerns

NEW YORK
Stocks fall sharply as crude oil futures top $129 and a report showing a
continued increase in producer prices fuels concerns that surging
commodities prices will further crimp U.S. consumption.

Mortgage relief bill passes in Senate Banking Committee vote - 18 in favor, 2 opposed.

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 11:05:05 -0400

Mortgage relief bill passes in Senate Banking Committee vote - 18 in
favor, 2 opposed.

Stocks slump at the open as oil prices spike more than $2 to set a new record near $130 a barrel.

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 09:32:08 -0400

Stocks slump at the open as oil prices spike more than $2 to set a new
record near $130 a barrel.

Debt-squeezed Gen X saves little

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 05:52:30 -0500

NEWS

TSA to test ID-only check of pilots
---------------------------------------------
The nation's 75,000 airline pilots could avoid being screened for
weapons before they board airplanes if a test starting shortly
succeeds.

Polls: Dems split dibs on Ky., Ore.
---------------------------------------------
Hillary Rodham Clinton warned that the Democratic race is not yet over,
while rival Barack Obama jumped ahead to a general-election fight with
Republican John McCain.

Half of states' schools face steep achievement requirements
---------------------------------------------
Pink slips for principals and teachers. School-funded tutoring for poor
kids. Schools are increasingly looking at those kind of consequences for
failing to raise math and reading scores.

MONEY

El Paso: Home sales future looks promising
---------------------------------------------
This year, El Paso has hit a snag in home sales. Most people aren't too
worried, though, about the downswing. In part, that's because, unlike
some other cities, El Paso enjoys a few distinct advantages.

Companies give start-ups billions in venture capital
---------------------------------------------
Looking past the economic downturn, big companies are charging back into
venture capital, seeking new technology and teaming with start-ups and
venture firms.

Debt-squeezed Gen X saves little
---------------------------------------------
For years, experts have warned that too many of the USA's 79 million
baby boomers aren't financially ready for their coming retirements. Yet,
if the boomers have had it hard, it's nothing compared with those next
in line.

Oil prices surged to an all time high of $129.31 a barrel in morning trade.

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 09:22:04 -0400

Oil prices surged to an all time high of $129.31 a barrel in morning
trade.

U.S. producer prices outside of food, energy rise most in 17 years

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 08:34:42 -0400

U.S. producer prices outside of food, energy rise most in 17 years
5/20/2008 8:31:31 AM

Fed vice chairman signals central bank prefers to hold target rates steady in near term

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 09:03:27 -0400

Fed vice chairman signals central bank prefers to hold target rates
steady in near term

Inflation pressure on wholesale goods eased in April after a big increase in March. Excluding food and energy, prices rose more.

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 08:36:03 -0400

Inflation pressure on wholesale goods eased in April after a big
increase in March. Excluding food and energy, prices rose more.

Oil prices rose to another record high hitting $127.84 a barrel in morning trade.

Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 08:51:04 -0400

Oil prices rose to another record high hitting $127.84 a barrel in
morning trade.

Market Briefing Newsletter for Monday, 05/19/2008

Monday, 5/19/2008

| Dow : 13028.16 up 41.36

| S & P : 1426.63 up 1.28

| NASDAQ: 2516.09 down 12.76

| Bond (10Y): 3.83%, 99.97

MARKETS:
Blue chips stay buoyant
S&P 500 hits a 5-month high and the Dow transports reach an all-time
mark following a better-than-expected leading indicators report.

With Microsoft and Yahoo talking again, what's with Icahn?

Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 17:04:40 -0400
With Microsoft and Yahoo talking again, what's with Icahn?

The shotgun wedding Carl Icahn had in mind for Yahoo and Microsoft took
an unexpected turn after the tech titans say they're talking about
coming together on their own, but without a formal marriage.

Housing market downturn could undercut Home Depot profit

Home Depot Inc. is expected to report a drop in first-quarter profit
Tuesday, as the declining housing market and other economic worries cut
into consumers' appetite for discretionary spending, analysts say.

Economic Report: Leading indicators rise for second straight month

The U.S. economy is likely to remain weak, but is not in a recession,
economists for the Conference Board says after announcing that the index
of leading economic indicators rose slightly in April for a second
straight month.

Amazon shares surge as Goldman Sachs boosts rating

Amazon.com Inc. shares climb more than 9% after Goldman Sachs adds the
Internet retailing giant to its conviction buy list and raises its price
target, saying the company could grow its sales by more than 20% over
the next decade.

Oil settles at record $127.05 a barrel amid reports that OPEC dashed hopes of a supply increase.

Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 15:01:05 -0400

Oil settles at record $127.05 a barrel amid reports that OPEC dashed
hopes of a supply increase.

Stocks rise as recession fears ebb

Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 12:03:11 -0400
Stocks rise as recession fears ebb

Stocks advanced on Monday, with data suggesting the U.S. economy may not
be in recession helping overcome concerns over record crude oil prices,
while technology received a lift as Microsoft said deal talks with Yahoo
were back on the agenda.

Economic Report: Leading indicators rise for second straight month

The U.S. economy is likely to remain weak, but is not in a recession,
economists for the Conference Board says after announcing that the index
of leading economic indicators rose slightly in April for a second
straight month.

Platinum supply comes up short in 2007: report

Global platinum supplies weren't enough to meet demand in 2007, platinum
group metals refiner Johnson Matthey says -- bad news for a market that
saw a record price of nearly $2,300 an ounce in March.

Microsoft reopens talks with Yahoo on scaled-back deal

Microsoft Corp. has reopened talks with Yahoo Inc. about a deal that
would not involve a full acquisition, just days after billionaire
investor Carl Icahn said he would seek to oust Yahoo's board.

Lowe's profit drops 18% on housing-market malaise

Lowe's Cos., the No. 2 U.S. home-improvement retailer, says its
first-quarter profit fell 18%, hurt by the declining housing market and
a spate of other economic worries that cut into consumers' discretionary
spending.

New breed of Americans in need of food

Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 05:44:34 -0500

NEWS

Bush wraps up Mideast trip with bit of thud, analysts say
---------------------------------------------
Israel got glowing praise from President Bush earlier this week. On
Sunday, the Arab world got a stern lecture, on the need to spread
freedoms and isolate state sponsors of terror that he said are holding
the region back.

New breed of American emerges in need of food
---------------------------------------------
Average enrollment in the food stamps program has surpassed the record
set in 1994, though the percentage of Americans on food stamps is still
lower than records set in 1993-95. The numbers continue to climb.

China suspends torch relay in national mourning
---------------------------------------------
The search for survivors in the rubble of China's powerful earthquake
grew bleak Sunday, with rescuers in some areas no longer listening for
trapped victims.

MONEY

Microsoft, Yahoo in talks on possible deal
---------------------------------------------
Two weeks after withdrawing a $47.5 billion offer to buy the Internet
icon, Microsoft said Sunday that it and Yahoo are discussing a
transaction but not an acquisition of all of Yahoo.

More people complain about debt collectors
---------------------------------------------
With more people falling behind on their consumer loan payments,
regulators and consumer advocates say they're seeing a surge in
aggressive - and sometimes questionable - debt-collection tactics.

Microsoft in new talks with Yahoo

Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 16:26:28 -0400

Microsoft in new talks with Yahoo
5/18/2008 4:23:31 PM