Morning News

• Futures are up pointing to a higher open this morning.

• August ISM Nonmanufactoring Report out this morning.

• 50% of damaged refineries along the Gulf Coast should be back up and running this week. Nearly 70% of normal oil and gas production is still shut down, and 50% of the natural gas output is still down.

• Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) has offered FEMA 3 of it's cruise ships which will hold nearly 7,000 people who have been left homeless by hurricane Katrina.

• Wal-Mart which had shut down 126 stores as result of the hurricane now has all but 20 of it's stores back open for bussiness.

• It has been just over two weeks now for the striking employees of Northwest airlines.

• Labor Day travelers paid more than 30% more for gasoline after hurricane Katrina if gasoline was available at all. On average drivers were forced to pay $3.20 per gallon.

• Crude Oil is down a bit this morning currently $67.37 per barrel.

• Gold is currently $448.20 per ounce.

Budd Foxx