Morning News

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

• Weekly jobless claims to be released today.

• Natural gas inventories to be released this morning as well.

• Coca-Cola Company board members will no longer get automatic pay. Compensation will now be based on performance.

• After the close yesterday a jury found that Mercks Vioxx was responsible for 1 of the 2 men's heart attack.

• Phelps Dodge to pay out special dividend of $2.00 per share. This is all part of a multi-billion dollar plan to reward investors.

• Costco Wholesale Corp. to increase annual memberships by $5.00 starting in May.

• Sizuki Motors to recall over 350,000 vehicles in Japan.

• Crude Oil is $67.61 per barrel.

• Wholesale Gasoline continues to climb current price is $1.98 per gallon.

• Natural Gas is $7.15 per unit.

• Gold moving higher current price is $600.00 per ounce.

Budd Foxx