Midday Report: U.S. stocks start the year off strong

Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:01:05 -0500

U.S. STOCKS START THE YEAR OFF STRONG
U.S. stocks jump on the first trading day of the year as the dollar
sinks and commodities prices rise.

MONDAY'S BIGGEST GAINING AND DECLINING STOCKS
MarketWatch's daily rundown of major gainers and decliners in the U.S.
stock market.

OIL TOPS $81 ON CHINA DATA, WEAKER DOLLAR
Crude-oil futures rise more than 2%, climbing above $81 a barrel,
boosted by upbeat economic data in the U.S. and China and by a weaker
dollar.

NATURAL-GAS ETF BURNED INVESTORS IN 2009
United States Natural Gas Fund lost almost 60% in 2009, but its
difficulties went beyond falling prices for natural gas due to the
poor economy and oversupply issues.

LOW RATES DIDN'T CAUSE BUBBLE, BERNANKE SAYS
Lax supervision of toxic mortgages was the bigger cause, Fed chief says.