--------------------------------------------------------
Today's Business Headlines - Market Close from MSNBC.com
--------------------------------------------------------
Market Closing Prices
DJIA: 9814.59 -123.73
NASDAQ: 1752.49 -29.93
S&P 500: 1063.23 -12.56
AMEX: 1202.66 -8.89
Wall Street Watch: Complete coverage
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032221/
-------------------------------
ADVERTISEMENT
-------------------------------
Get a Faster Internet Connection with MSN Broadband -- Now Available Nationwide!
http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/broadband/default.asp
-------------------------------
Business
-------------------------------
Stocks slump as crude oil prices spike
Stocks extended their recent slide Thursday on a pair of unsettling events: another
surge in oil prices that pushed the cost of crude past $45 per barrel and lower than
expected earnings from Hewlett-Packard Co.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/
July retail sales rebound smaller than expected
U.S. shoppers returned to stores in July, but retail sales for the month posted a
smaller-than-expected gain as consumers coped with the recent rises in energy prices,
a government report showed on Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5682752/
Japanese banks agree on merger deal
Two of Japan's largest banks, Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group Inc. and UFJ Holdings
Inc., agreed Thursday to a merger that would form the world's biggest bank, with
assets of nearly $2 trillion.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5685298/
Fed was ready for aggressive steps in June
The Federal Reserve policy panel in June saw a series of "gradual or 'measured"'
interest rate rises as likely ahead but acknowledged more "aggressive" steps may be
needed, according to meeting minutes released Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5685964/
Oil hits new record high amid supply fears
Crude oil prices hit new record levels Thursday, as fighting in Iraq, another setback
for beleaguered Russian oil giant Yukos, and a hurricane threatening production in the
U.S. Gulf combined to stoke supply concerns, analysts said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5612507/
U.S. complains to Russia about Yukos
The Bush administration has complained to Russia about Moscow's clampdown on Russian
oil major YUKOS and its driving effect on oil prices, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5684356/
IBM plans to add 19,000 workers
IBM Corp. raised its estimate Thursday for the number of people it expects to hire in
2004 to 18,800, up from an earlier forecast of 15,000, citing strong growth in key
business areas such as consulting, grid computing and Linux.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5684697/
U.S. jobless claims decline in latest week
The number of Americans filing first claims for jobless pay dropped by 4,000 last
week, a second straight weekly decline that appeared to reflect improving job
prospects.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5682838/
30-year rates sink to 4-month low
Interest rates on U.S. 30-year mortgages fell under 6 percent for a second straight
week and were at their lowest averages since early April, mortgage finance company
Freddie Mac said on Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5684924/
Hewlett-Packard earnings miss estimates
Computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. Thursday posted a quarterly profit that
fell short of Wall Street estimates, citing weak results in its servers and storage
products used by large businesses and organizations.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5682350/
=========================================
This email is never sent unsolicited. You have received this MSNBC Daily Market Close
newsletter because you subscribed to it or, someone forwarded it to you.
To remove yourself from the list (or to add yourself to the list if this
message was forwarded to you) simply go to
http://www.msnbc.com/tools/newstools/e/EmailExtra.asp?nfeature=3
Microsoft Corporation - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052
MSN PRIVACY STATEMENT
http://privacy.msn.com
