Gold hits new record above $1,217 an ounce

Date: Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:01:14 -0500

Gold hits new record above $1,217 an ounce

Gold futures climb to a new record high, buoyed by strong demand from
investors amid worries about the U.S. dollar's continued weakness.

MATERIALS STOCKS GIVE U.S. EQUITIES A LIFT

U.S. stocks continue to trade higher on a rally in materials stocks,
though a bigger-than-expected monthly drop in private-sector jobs
keeps the gains muted.

STOCKS IN MIDDLE EAST MOSTLY UP AFTER SELL-OFF

Stocks in the Middle East trade mostly higher on Wednesday after their
recent steep sell-off. Markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are closed for a
national holiday.

THE 10 BEST AND WORST S&P COMPONENTS OF DECADE

As the decade nears an end, regional-energy supplier Southwestern
Energy ranks as the index's best-performing stock while what was once
a high-flying technology company, JDS Uniphase, is positioned as its
worst.

NOVEMBER'S RETAIL MESSAGE: MORE TO DO IN DECEMBER

Early holiday sales and easy comparisons against last year mean
retailers will likely see a gain in November sales. December, however,
is another story.