- Can investors extend a two-day rally into a third as the unemployment report is released? In Thursday trading, the Dow added 40 points to 13,074. The S&P was up nearly 5 points to 1,414, while the Nasdaq added 16 points to 1,414. Stock futures fell this morning.
- International stock markets are mixed today ahead of the release of a closely watched U.S. employment report that is expected to reflect a downturn in hiring following a massive storm that whipped the East Coast last month. The unemployment rate is expected to remain 7.9 percent. Benchmark crude oil rose to remain above $86 per barrel. The dollar rose against the euro and the yen.
- Analysts say some of the impact from Superstorm Sandy will be reflected in today's November jobs report from the Labor Department. Economists expect employers added 110,000 jobs last month, with the unemployment rate remaining at 7.9 percent. The report's silver lining could be that minus the storm, the job market is strengthening.
- Urging the world's largest smartphone makers to settle their differences, a federal judge says she will issue rulings aimed at resolving a multifaceted legal battle between Apple and Samsung. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh appeared ready to trim a $1 billion jury verdict Apple won over Samsung Electronics this summer. At a hearing yesterday, she said she would issue a series of rulings in coming weeks.
- The final day of the climate talks in Qatar features debates over money to help the developing world cover the rising costs of mitigating global warming and adapting to it. Developing countries want firm commitments of $100 billion annually by 2020. Rich nations are unwilling to commit, citing world financial turmoil and budget pressure.
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