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Today's Business Headlines - Market Close from MSNBC.com
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Wall Street Watch: Complete coverage
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032221/
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Business
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Stocks finish mixed amid oil, earnings
Stocks closed Thursday mixed amid uncertainty over oil prices, third-quarter earnings
and a new investigation into the insurance industry, which made for a volatile day on
Wall Street.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/
Home heating prices expected to jump
With oil and natural gas prices continuing to climb, consumers can expect to see a big
jump in this winter's heating bills. But with no additional federal funding for local
heating assistance programs, the surge in energy prices is a "prescription for
disaster," according to a spokesman for Boston-based agency that manages the fuel
assistance program there.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6292025/
Oil prices hold near $55 a barrel
Oil prices held near record peaks on Thursday after a larger-than-expected decline in
heating fuels in the United States heightened fears of a winter supply crunch.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5612507/
Martha Stewart seeks conviction overturned
Martha Stewart asked a federal appeals court to overturn her conviction, arguing that
a host of problems with prosecutors' case had "tainted" her trial.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6297016/
US Airways pilots ratify concession package
Pilots at US Airways Thursday ratified a concession package that includes pay cuts of
18 percent, a decrease in company contributions to their retirement plan and increased
pilot productivity.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6299050/
Flu vaccine shortage could cost businesses
This year's flu vaccine shortage could cost the nation up to $20 billion in lost
productivity - almost twice as much as in a typical year - depending on the severity
of the outbreak, according to one estimate.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6300546/
Long-term mortgage rates fall to 6-month low
Interest rates on U.S. 30-year and 15-year mortgages fell for a second straight week,
mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said on Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5899422/
Leading Economic Indicator index declines
The Index of Leading Economic Indicators, a widely watched barometer of future
economic activity, edged lower in September for the fourth month in a row, indicating
a slowing in economic growth, a private research group reported Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6298650/
Holiday spending expected to rise
The average American consumer will spend $702.03 this holiday season, favoring DVDs
over jewelry, discount chains over department stores and low prices over customer
service, according to a survey sponsored by the National Retail Federation, an
industry trade group.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6297055/
The most valuable fictional characters
The characters on this list may be make-believe, but the dollar signs are real.
According to our calculations, the top-ten fictional characters grossed more than $25
billion in 2003.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6290913/
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