RETAIL SALES

Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Thursday its U.S. auto sales fell 5 percent in September from a year earlier as demand slumped off in part due to the end of the U.S. government's cash for clunkers incentive program.

Weakness from commodity stocks and banks outweighed gains in insurers by midsession Thursday, leaving European shares 0.3 percent weaker as nervousness about the global economy resurfaced.

The Australian Dollar opens today at 0.8810 having surged higher during local trade on Wednesday after stronger than expected economic data.

Myer, Australia's largest department store chain, plans to raise up to $2 billion in a share offering that will test investor appetite for retail stocks and may encourage other IPOs in the sector.

President Barack Obama in an interview aired Sunday said all signs point to the U.S. economy starting to grow again but there may not be enough new jobs created until next year.

Apple's new Snow Leopard operating system has hit the ground running, according to research data released Thursday.

The Australian Dollar has held onto its recent spectacular gains and opens on Friday at 0.8710. The Aussie ended yesterday's local session at a new 13-month high of 0.8774 as stronger-than-expected economic data from the United States adds to signs the global economy is edging towards recovery.

New construction of U.S. homes and permits for future building scaled a nine-month high in August, and the number of people filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week, suggesting a recovery was underway.

World equities rose on Wednesday to new 11-month highs, after upbeat U.S. data boosted faith in an economic recovery, persuading more investors to sell their low-yield dollars to buy growth-oriented stocks and commodities.

Oil shed early losses and hovered near $71 on Wednesday as the dollar's fall to one-year lows and Asian equities' climb to 2009 highs drew investors back to risky assets on brightening signs of a U.S. economic recovery.

Asian shares swept to their highest levels for 2009 on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. economic news boosted riskier assets leveraged to global growth, while the U.S. dollar slipped to a one-year low.

Asian shares hit their highest levels for 2009 on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. economic news gave riskier assets leveraged to global growth a boost, while the U.S. dollar slipped to a one-year low.

Stocks rose on Tuesday to 2009 highs after stronger manufacturing and retail sales data boosted commodity prices and shares of materials companies.

The U.S. economy has not begun to climb out of the worst recession since the Great Depression, but the terror that followed last year's near- collapse of the financial system is gone, due in part to government intervention, Warren Buffett said on Tuesday.

Stocks rose on Tuesday to 2009 highs after stronger manufacturing and retail sales data boosted commodity prices and shares of materials companies.

U.S. retail sales rose in August at the fastest pace in 3-1/2 years and a gauge of New York State manufacturing hit a near two-year high, offering hope for a solid recovery from a severe recession.

Stocks rose on Tuesday to fresh 2009 highs after stronger manufacturing and retail sales data boosted commodity prices and shares of companies in the materials sector.

Stocks rose modestly on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected retail sales data, though gains were limited by some retailers' disappointing earnings.

U.S. stocks rose modestly on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected retail sales data, though gains were limited by some retailers' disappointing earnings.

U.S. stocks were little changed on Tuesday as some retail companies' results and rising credit card defaults overshadowed government data showing stronger-than-expected retail sales last month.

Oil rose on Tuesday after data showing gains in U.S. retail sales and producer prices outweighed concerns about growing U.S. distillate inventories.