Stocks slip as investors push into safe-haven investments; Dell weighs on technology stocks
NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors can't shake their fears that the economy isn't keeping up with the stock market....

How the Dow Jones industrials and other major stock indexes fared in Friday's trading
Stocks fell for a third straight day Friday as a disappointing outlook from computer maker Dell Inc. suggested that an economic recovery could be uneven. The market, which has been shuttling between concerns about the economy and traders' need to find high-yielding investments, is back to worrying about the economy. Demand for safe haven investments like Treasurys and the dollar rose for a second day in response to Dell's outlook and comments from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, who said the ECB plans to start reining in some of its stimulus programs. A rising dollar also hit commodities producers and exporters....

J.M. Smucker 2nd-quarter profit nearly triples on Folgers acquisition, profit margins
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- J.M. Smucker Co. nearly tripled its profit in the second quarter as the addition of Folgers coffee gave a jolt to its lineup and lower commodity prices for coffee beans and other items fattened its profit margins....

Homebuilder D.R. Horton stems loss in fiscal 4th-qtr, but misses Wall Street expectations
Homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc., saw new home orders spike 26 percent from a year ago in the latest quarter as buyers raced to close deals and take advantage of a federal tax credit. But a wider-than-anticipated loss fueled by write-downs sent shares tumbling more than 15 percent Friday....

La. sees drop in initial jobless claims after brief spike due to transportation sector layoff
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- First-time claims for jobless benefits in Louisiana fell last week after a spike attributed to a temporary layoff in the transportation equipment industry....

D.R. Horton, J.M. Smucker, Dell, ADC Telecommunications are among big market movers Friday
NEW YORK (AP) -- The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Friday on the New York Stock Exchange:...

Gold prices inch higher, buoyed by safe-haven appeal; Other metals little changed
NEW YORK (AP) -- Gold prices finished higher for a sixth straight day Friday, rising even as the dollar strengthened....

Verigy shares rise after 4th-quarter loss, revenue top forecasts
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) -- Shares of Verigy Ltd. rose Friday after the maker of chip testing equipment turned in a stronger-than-expected performance in the fourth quarter....

Good news for home heating: With the most natural gas in storage, prices plunge by 12 percent
NEW YORK (AP) -- Natural gas prices have dropped by more than 12 percent in the past month as the country continues to sip at its energy reserves and a balmy November allowed homeowners to leave the heat off....