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Today's Business Headlines - Market Close from MSNBC.com
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Market Closing Prices
Dow: 9873.419922 +19.78
NASDAQ: 1960.250000 -19.82
S&P: 1064.729980 -1.89
AMEX: 1117.170044 unch
Wall Street Watch: Complete coverage
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/COMTOPLEVELMARK_Front.asp
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Business
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Stocks end mixed
Stocks closed Wednesday mixed, ending a session in which the Nasdaq composite index
crossed 2,000 for the first time in two years and the Dow Jones industrials
approached, but held below, 10,000.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/158521.asp
Third-quarter productivity surges
Productivity of U.S. companies surged at a 9.4-percent annual rate in the third
quarter, the best showing in 20 years, offering an encouraging sign that the economic
resurgence will be lasting.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000640.asp
Cheery season for luxury retailers
As the holiday shopping season gets into full swing, discount chains are seeing strong
traffic. But so are luxury retailers. Though everyone loves a bargain, there are
apparently many shoppers who believe that only the best will do. -- By CNBC's John Meta
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000729.asp
Dollar slides to new low vs. euro
The dollar hit record lows against the euro for a fourth straight day Wednesday as
investors warmed to the view that a recovering U.S. economy would do little to
alleviate the U.S. current account deficit.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000354.asp
U.S. services growth slows
The U.S. services sector expanded in November but growth slowed further than expected
even as companies took on more workers, a report Wednesday showed.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000682.asp
SEC mulls new mutual fund rules
New curbs on after-hours trading that brings profits to a favored few shareholders
will help restore investor confidence in mutual funds, the government's top securities
regulator said Wednesday.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000624.asp
Kids' rude lesson in ways of Wall St.
Denver-area children interested in Wall Street may have gotten more of an education
than they bargained for when they attended the "Mutual Fund Saturday" program at a
local bank.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000522.asp
FCC staff recommends DirecTV deal
News Corp.'s proposed takeover of DirecTV, the nation's largest satellite television
provider, should be approved by the Federal Communications Commission with certain
conditions, the FCC's staff recommended after studying the deal.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000782.asp
Web car buyers getting hoodwinked
Car-selling Web sites offer an array of choices and attractive pricing, but they also
are a boon to shady dealers and con artists who use them to hoodwink unwary buyers,
MSNBC.com's Mike Brunker reports.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/996108.asp
Merck sees profit rising in 2004
Merck said Wednesday it expects earnings to grow between 5 percent and 9 percent in
2004 after an expected profit decline this year and no earnings growth in 2002 for the
world's third-largest drug firm.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeatBIZ1.asp?/news/1000634.asp
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