Morning News

Futures are flat to slightly higher at this point this morning.

Weekly jobless claims will be released at 8:30 this morning.

Energy Dept. will release natural gas inventories at 10:30 this morning.

Data on import and export prices for the month of November will be released today.

European markets are up just slightly today. In Tokyo the Nikkei 225 did end the day higher.

OPEC meeting in Nigeria. A decision on production should be out later this morning.

President Bush continues to see his job approval rating fall.

Tim Johnson Democratic Sen. from South Dakota reportedly had or is having surgery. Initially reported was a stroke but no official word yet.

Former CEO of Enron Jeffrey Skilling reported to prison yesterday to begin serving 24 year sentence.

Ecoli breakout in the northeast connected to Taco Bell reportedly linked to lettuce not the green onions like initially thought.

General Electric has been awarded $950 million contract by Saudi Arabia.

Quantas Airways accepts buyout offer from private equity firm.

Crude oil is $61.72 per barrel.

Wholesale gasoline is $1.61 per gallon.

Natural gas is currently $7.68 per unit.

Gold is just above $632.00 per ounce.

Budd Foxx