Morning News

• Futures pointing to a lower open today.

• February existing home sales will be released today.

• Weekly jobless claims also due for release today.

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

• Dell Inc. to buy Alienware Corp. a computer maker involved in high end game related computing gear.

• Conoco Phillips and Marathon Oil upgraded this morning at Prudential Equity Group.

• Apple Computer Inc. saying proposed French law would encourage piracy. If the bill becomes law there are many who believe Apple will shut down it's iTune service in France.

• Jabil Circuits Inc. reports a 50% rise in second quarter profit, and raised third quarter estimates.

• Crude Oil just above $62.00 per barrel.

• Wholesale Gasoline is currently $1.74 per gallon.

• Natural Gas is $7.00 per unit.

• Gold is $549.00 per ounce.

Budd Foxx