Economic data spur slight gains for U.S. stocks

Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:01:41 -050

Economic data spur slight gains for U.S. stocks

A raft of economic data related to the consumer and housing comes in above
expectations, prompting investors to move toward riskier areas of tee market
and away from the dollar.

DOLLAR SLUMPS, EURO BACK ABOVE $1.50

The dollar falls versus major rivals, allowing the euro to again fetch more
than $1.50 as overall economic sentiment rebounds and the U.S. Federal Reserve
shows no qualms about the U.S. unit's decline.

GOLD TOPS $1,183 ON INDIA-IMF TALK, WEAK DOLLAR

Gold futures probe $1,183 an ounce, setting another in a string of record highs
as a report that India is open to buying more gold from the International
Monetary Fund draws even more investors into the bullion market.

FED SEES SLOW RECOVERY HOLDING JOBLESS RATE HIGH

Federal Reserve officials believe the U.S. recovery is going to expand at a
slow rate while unemployment will continue to remian high, according to the
minutes of their closed-door Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 meeting.

U.S. OCTOBER DURABLE-GOODS ORDERS FALL 0.6%

Orders for U.S.-made durable goods fall in October, declining 0.6% on weaker
demand for machinery, the Commerce Department reports.