Morning News

• Futures are pointing to a flat open this morning.

• November Retail Sales to be released at 8:30 this morning.

• The Federal Reserve is expected to raise rates today announcement expected at 2:15 this afternoon.

• Yesterday Federal Judge Eldon Fallen declared a mistrial in Merck's Vioxx trial.

• Microsoft and MCI announce PC to Phone partnership.

• ConocoPhillips to pay $35.6 billion or $92.00 a share for Burlington Resources.

• Standard & Poor's pushes General Motors credit rating further into junk status on bankruptcy concerns.

• Crude Oil is currently $61.18 per barrel.

• Wholesale Gasoline is $1.63 per gallon.

• Natural Gas continues to climb currently $15.10 per unit.

• Gold has pulled back a bit to $527.00 per ounce.

Budd Foxx