Morning News

• Futures are weak this morning pointing to a lower open.

• Weekly Jobless Claims, and Import Price Index Data to be released today.

• Natural Gas Inventories to be released at 10:30 this morning.

• The Security and Exchange Commission has begun an informal investigation into The Home Depo.

• Guidant Corp. sticking with Johnson & Johnson's $23.2 billion cash and stock offer. Boston Scientific believes it's $25 billion offer is the better offer and is still in discussions with Guidant Corp.

• U.S. Army expected to announce that it is canceling an $8 billion spy plane progam developed by Lockheed Martin Corp.

• Crude Oil $64.51 per barrel.

• Wholesale Gasoline is $1.75 per gallon.

• Natural Gas currently $9.29 per unit.

• Gold is $548.90 per ounce.

Budd Foxx