--------------------------------------------------------
Today's Business Headlines - Market Close from MSNBC.com
--------------------------------------------------------
Market Closing Prices
DJIA: 10676.45 +38.13
NASDAQ: 2159.84 +11.34
S&P 500: 1203.38 +4.70
AMEX: 1404.23 +5.18
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
-------------------------------
Fed raises rates another quarter-point
The Federal Reserve Tuesday raised interest rates for the fifth and presumably
final time this year, increasing a key benchmark by a quarter-percentage point
to its highest level in more than three years.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6712849/
Stocks edge up after Fed raises key rate
Stocks closed Tuesday with solid gains, as the Federal Reserve issued a widely
expected interest rate hike and investors welcomed the prospect of a merger in
the software industry.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/
U.S. trade gap swells to record $55.5 billion
America�?Ts trade deficit swelled to an all-time high of $55.5 billion in
October as imports �?" including those from China �?" surged to the loftiest
levels on record. Skyrocketing crude-oil prices also contributed to the yawning
trade gap.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6711385/
GE expects strong growth in 2005
Diversified manufacturer General Electric Co. said Tuesday it expects earnings
to grow between 10 percent and 15 percent in 2005, boosted by strong growth
from its financial and energy units.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6713251/
Verizon gets Vodafone OK for Sprint bid
Verizon Communications has gained the backing of partner Vodafone Group to bid
for Sprint Corp. in a move that could thwart Sprint's potential $35 billion bid
for Nextel Communications, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6711094/
U.S. reduces tariffs on Canadian lumber
The government reduced punitive tariffs on imports of Canadian softwood lumber
on Tuesday but by less than the Canadians had wanted, extending a heated
cross-border dispute.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6713505/
First-quarter hiring to grow in 2005
American companies plan to hire slightly more employees in the first three
months of 2005 than they did a year ago, especially in finance, insurance and
real estate, a new hiring survey says.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6712003/
Blockbuster to end late fees in 2005
Blockbuster Inc., the nation's biggest movie rental company, plans to eliminate
late fees on games and movies as of Jan. 1.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6711543/
�?~Big-box�?T retailers excel in cyberspace
Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com, Target.com �?" the names don�?Tt exactly sound like
titans of the e-commerce age, but with the online holiday shopping season now
hitting its peak, the latest performance data show these offline brand names
are outshining their Internet-only rivals.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6711347/
Crude oil prices surge 2 percent
Oil prices rose 2 percent Tuesday on the back of a rally in heating oil and
natural gas futures that was supported by colder weather in the Western
Hemisphere.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5612507/
=========================================
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
