U.S. July consumer sentiment plummets

Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:00:58 -0400

U.S. JULY CONSUMER SENTIMENT PLUMMETS
U.S. consumer sentiment plummeted in early July, hitting the lowest
level since August, according to survey results released by Reuters
and the University of Michigan.

BP SHARES WEAKEN BUT WELL CAP HOLDS
BP PLC shares fell 4% Friday as euphoria over the company's apparent
success in stopping the flow of crude from its ruptured well gave way
to the realities surrounding the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

BP DRIVES STRONG GAINS IN THE U.K.'S FTSE 100
Stocks in London edge higher on Friday, as BP PLC plugs the oil leak
in the Gulf of Mexico and fashion house Burberry Group announces it
will buy stores in China.

CRUDE PRICES DOWN 1% AS CONSUMER SENTIMENT DROPS
Crude futures take their cue from weaker U.S. consumer sentiment as
well as disappointing corporate earnings that have the effect of
pushing stock prices lower. Traders also keep an eye on the latest
developments surrounding BP's efforts to cap the leaking oil well in
the Gulf of Mexico.

DROID X ADDS TO CHALLENGE OF CHOOSING A SMARTPHONE
Deciding to buy a smart phone is the easy part. With dozens of models
on the market -- add one more after Motorola's Droid X went on sale
Thursday -- picking your perfect phone requires hours of research on
countless details.