Morning News

• Futures are up pointing to a higher open.

• July Consumer Confidence this morning at 10 am.

• Fortune Brands(FO) closes deal to acquire up to 20 beverage units.

• Target (TGT) sees July same store sales at upper end of forcast, the company is looking for a 4% - 6% increase.

• BP plc released strong oil and gas prices boosted profits by 29%, and the company plans to buy back nearly $6 billion in stock.

• Space Shuttle is scheduled for liftoff this morning at 10:30 am. This will be the first shuttle launch since Feb. 2003

• Crude oil is currently just over $59.00 per barrel.

• Gold has pulled back some currently $423.80 per ounce.

Budd Foxx