Morning News

• Futures are flat this morning pointing to a slightly lower open.

• October Wholesale Trade to be released today.

• University of Michigan to release preliminary December reading of Consumer Sentiment this morning.

• Intel Corp. late yesterday lowered the top end of it's sales forcast for the fourth quarter.

• Congressional Budget Office estimates a severe outbreak of the Bird Flu could kill 2 million people in the U.S. and start a recession.

• The jury in Mercks Vioxx trial sent for deliberations late on thursday.

• Electronic Arts Inc. has agreed to pay $680 million for Jamdat Mobile Inc.

• Viacom Inc. Paramount Pictures preparing an offer for Dreamworks.

• 1 child killed 10 people injured when a Southwest Airlines jet slid off a runway yesterday in Chicago. Southwest Airlines plans to resume flights in Chicago today.

• Snowstorm slamming the Northeast today driving up energy prices:

• Currently Crude Oil is $61.00 per barrel.

• Wholesale Gasoline is $1.64 per gallon.

• Natural Gas near $15.00 per unit.

• Gold continues to move higher currently $527.80 per ounce.

Budd Foxx