Countdown to the close: 59 min 59 sec

INVESTOR ALERT
U.S. stocks stage Election Day rally

November 9 2008 1:24 P.M. EST

Retail returns to the 1970s
 Sales likely to mark fourth straight decline for first time in decades 
Government reports on retail sales, consumer sentiment expected to show continued weakness. Trade deficit seen narrowing, but this may be short-lived as U.S. dollar strengthens. Figures will likely influence future stimulus plans.
•  Markets looking to Obama next week | Stocks to Watch | Goldman Sachs predicts worst jobless rise since WWII
 •  Obama vows quick action on economy | Top 10 stories of the week | Directors' share-buys on the rise: report
 


Weekend headlines
 The Great Stimulus of China
 Over half a trillion dollars to be spent on major infrastructure projects, tax reform, housing and other items in effort to spur economy.
• Outside the Box: Add China to the list of investment opportunities
 • HSBC may write down over $3.5 billion for quarter
• Iraq reportedly sets provincial election date for Jan. 31  
 
Financials
A message to investors
Top hedge fund managers send grim message to their investors: It isn’t over. What they said: "funereal," "carnage," "rubble."
• More bank failures: No. 18 and No. 19
the Obama administration
Full plate
As Barack Obama prepares to take the reins of power in January, he faces a storm of tough economic issues. MarketWatch's Personal Finance team takes a look at some of these and how they will affect you.
• Time for savings reform is now: Powell
• How far will health-care change go?
 • Obama tax plan may face some delays
 • Holding back the tide of foreclosures  
 

Latest News more » Top Stories more » Market Pulse more » Headlines more » Press Releases more »

  • 4:40 a.m.

    [RTP] Rio Tinto may establish venture with Chinalco: Observer

  • 4:37 a.m.

    [BA] Virgin Atlantic looking to buy or lease 12 planes: Telegraph

  • 4:36 a.m.

    [BA] Virgin Atlantic to lease planes due to 787 delay: Telegraph

  • 4:34 a.m.

    [RBS] New RBS chief to court sovereign wealth funds: Telegraph

  • 4:32 a.m.

    [LLOY] Lloyds TBS giving GBP10bln loan to HBOS: U.K. Times

  • 4:32 a.m.

    [LLOY] HBOS rejects Scottish independence proposal: reports

  • 7:19 p.m.

    [FBTX] Franklin Bank closure is 18th of the year

  • 7:15 p.m.

    Houston's Franklin Bank closed, FDIC named receiver

  • 6:16 p.m.

    [UIS] People's United Financial to replace Unisys on S&P 500

  • 5:27 p.m.

    [BRK .A] CORRECT: Berkshire Q3 Class A op. earns $1,335 vs $1,655

  • 5:22 p.m.

    [CYCL] Centennial Comm late-shares rise after resuming trade

  • 5:16 p.m.

    [BRK .A] Berkshire Hathaway Q3 Class A net $682 vs $2,942

  • 4:56 p.m.

    [GNW] S&P downgrades Genworth Financial to 'A-'

  • 4:48 p.m.

    [LVS] Las Vegas Sands names Kenneth Kay financial chief

  • 4:47 p.m.

    [MBI] MBIA late-traded shares slide 18% to $6.51

  • 4:41 p.m.

    [MBI] MBIA: Moody's downgrade has little direct impact

  • 4:40 p.m.

    [MBI] MBIA: Disagree with Moody's methodology

  • 4:35 p.m.

    [DDS] S&P downgrades Dillard's to 'B+' from 'BB-'

  • 4:29 p.m.

    [MBI] Moody's downgrades MBIA to 'Baa1'

  • 4:27 p.m.

    [GM] Fitch may downgrade General Motors' 'CCC' rating

 
Today inside MarketWatch
   IN MULTIMEDIA

The week on Wall Street

WSJ's MarketBeat columnist David Gaffen says things went from bad to worse.

Also in Multimedia:
 • Who covered the election best?
• Gay marriage back in court  

   IN NEWSLETTERS
MARK Hulbert
 Shades of Camelot? Let's hope not
The stock market didn't do all that well
during John F. Kennedy's presidency.

Also in Newsletters :
• Brimelow on profiting from street smarts
• Gurus say: Go to ground

  IN PERSONAL FINANCE
CHUCK JAFFE
 Movie-theater company panned
Regal Entertainment gets two thumbs down.

Also in Personal Finance:
 • Finding the green to buy green acres
• The race against identity thieves
 • Saving in tough times
• Trading Strategies: Fight or flight

   IN COMMENTARY
media web
The right choice
Thomas Kostigen asks, what if
Sen. John McCain had won?

Also in Commentary:
 • Dvorak: Not your father's Motorola
• Weidner's wish list for Wall Street
• Poletti on Apple and chips

energy
 OPEC may cut further
 Cartel president tips further reductions to production to stop fall in oil prices, saying $70-$90 a barrel would be reasonable.

Credit crisis
 AIG asking for more?
U.S. insurance giant is reportedly in talks with government officials for more bailout funds, less than two months after the Federal Reserve came to the insurance giant's rescue with an $85 billion loan.
• HSBC may write down over $3.5 billion for quarter
• Credit Suisse closes bond fund: report | Berkshire profit dives 77%

auto industry
Democrats plead automakers' case
Democratic leaders in Congress take up  domestic automakers' plight, asking for a financial lifeline. 
•  Hyundai denies interest in Chrysler assets
• GM slides on $2.5 billion loss | Detroit and the WPA (First Take)
  
Ford to cut deep
More job cuts in the cards after carmaker announces major restructuring moves. | Ford Motor liquidity worsens

BARRON'S COVER STORY ... FREE
Obama market
What's hot, what not? Sectors likely to be helped, or hurt, under
the new administration.

entertainment
 Will movie-goers bite?
Hollywood bets new Bond flick (left) and teen-vampire love story "Twilight" will help boost holiday movie season ticket sales. 
• A look at Hollywood's holiday plans

internet & technology 
Steve Ballmer says 'no deal'
Yahoo slides after Microsoft CEO says he's not interested in a new bid.
• Yahoo plays catch-up with offshore tax move | Qualcomm paces gains

AUTO REVIEW
2009 Lincoln MKS
Ron Amadon says there's plenty to like about this car, but it hardly moves the segment forward.
• See the slideshow

MARKETWATCH NEWS ROSTER | CORRECTIONS | CODE OF CONDUCT

U.S. Europe Asia Currency/Rates More Markets»
Dow
8,944 248.02
Nasdaq
1,647 38.70
S&P 500
931 26.11
Oil
$61.04 0.27
Gold
$734.20 2.00
London
4,365 114.73
Paris
3,469 81.87
Frankfurt
4,938 124.89
Tokyo
8,583 -316.14
Hong Kong
14,243 453.39
Sydney
4,007 -99.90
10yr Treas
3.80% 0.10
Euro / $1US
1.28 0.0084
$1US / Yen
98.15 0.7200
Pound / $1US
1.56 0.0080
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