U.S. stocks climb in first 2009 session; GM leads Dow

Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:01:02 -0500

U.S. stocks climb in first 2009 session; GM leads Dow

U.S. stocks pulled higher Friday as investors looked to begin 2009 by
shaking off one of the most bruising years on record.

WORLDWIDE SEMICONDUCTOR SALES FALL 9.8% IN NOVEMBER

Worldwide sales of semiconductors fell 9.8% to $20.8 billion in
November, compared to $23.1 billion in the year-earlier period, the
Semiconductor
Industry Association said

RUSSIA REASSURES EUROPE OVER GAS AMID UKRAINE DISPUTE: REPORT

Russia has sent its assurances to several European Union countries
that they won't face any disruption in natural-gas supplies amid a
dispute over unpaid
bills and pricing to the Ukraine.

EUROPE MARKETS: EUROPEAN SHARES MOVE HIGHER TO START 2009

European shares move higher Friday in the first trading session of
2009, helped by gains for the mining sector and a solid start to the
year from most banking stocks.