U.S. stock market may not live up to track record

Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:01:08 -0400

U.S. stock market may not live up to track record

As stock investors hunt for higher returns in light of what some are calling a
"new normal" of reduced expectations, analysts point to early- cycle stocks as
among those that stand to gain as Asian demand for goods picks up.

FRIDAY'S BIGGEST GAINING AND DECLINING STOCKS

Among the companies whose shares are seeing active trade in Friday's session
are Harman, Las Vegas Sands and YRC Worldwide

CONSUMER SENTIMENT IMPROVES IN LATE OCT.

U.S. consumer sentiment improves in late October, but not by enough to exceed
the reading from September, according to a survey released by the University of
Michigan and Reuters.

CONSUMER SPENDING RETREATS AFTER CLUNKERS ENDS

U.S. consumer spending falls sharply in September after the government's
cash-for-clunkers program ends, the Commerce Department estimates. And
inflation-adjusted incomes come in lower for the fourth consecutive month.

EMPLOYMENT COSTS FALL TO RECORD LOWS

The cost of employing a worker in the U.S. falls to a record-low level in the
third quarter.