Morning News

• Futures are pointing to a lower open once again today.

• Consumer Price Index to be released today.

• International Business Machines 4th quarter profits above expectations but revenue comes in a bit weaker than expectations.

• Intel Corp's 4th quarter profit and sales miss expectations.

• Yahoo Inc. companies 4th quarter profits also fall short of expectations.

• Guidant Corp. favors Boston Scientific's bid of $27.2 billion over Johnson & Johnson's bid of $24.2 billion.

• Tokyo Stock Exchange closes early due to heavy trading which came close to exceeding the systems order capacity.

• Crude Oil up slightly this morning to $66.72 per barrel.

• Wholesale Gasoline up to $1.82 per gallon.

• Natural Gas is $9.34 per unit.

• Gold pulling back a bit to $545.90 per ounce.

Budd Foxx