Mark Brooks

The euro jumped to $1.3002 in afternoon trading from $1.2972 late Thursday.

Obama took his case to an audience in a Philadelphia suburb, saying that this move would present a "Scrooge Christmas" for millions of wage-earners.

U.S. benchmark crude rose 46 cents to $88.51 per barrel Friday morning in New York. In London, Brent crude rose 28 cents to $111.03.

The Mint is preparing a report for Congress showing how changes in the metal content of coins could save money.

Prices rose Thursday for gold, industrial metals, oil and soybeans. Natural gas, wheat and corn fell.

Just 19 months after its Civic compact hit showrooms and was slammed by critics, the company has revamped the car, giving it a sportier look and upgrading the interior.

Gold will probably surge, along with the dollar, should U.S. lawmakers fail to reach a deal on reducing the U.S. budget deficit, an analyst has forecast.

Riskier currencies, such as the euro, tend to rise when traders think the economy is getting better.

The price announced Thursday is in line with Microsoft's earlier statements that the Pro version would cost about the same as an ultrabook.

Those interested parties now include at least five national retailers such as supermarkets, a banker for the company said in bankruptcy court Thursday.

Obama is mounting a public campaign to build support and leverage in the negotiations, appearing at the White House with middle-class taxpayers and launching a campaign on Twitter to bolster his position.

Italy joins France, Germany, and Britain in scrutinizing Google's tax practices.

Sandy stunted enthusiasm among shoppers early in the month just as stores were preparing for the busiest shopping period of the year, a roughly two-month stretch in November through December when they can make up to 40 percent of their annual revenue.

Benchmark crude is up $2.08, or 2.4 percent, to $88.57 just after 10 a.m. in New York.

Gold for December delivery fell $25.80 an ounce to settle at $1,716.50 an ounce Wednesday. It was the biggest drop since Nov. 2.

BP well site leaders Robert Kaluza and Donald Vidrine and BP's vice president of exploration for the Gulf David Rainey remained free on bond following their arraignments Wednesday in federal court.

The garment factory in Bangladesh where 112 people were killed in a fire over the weekend was used by a host of major U.S. and European retailers, an Associated Press reporter discovered Wednesday.

About 10,000 employees will decide whether to be represented by the Communications Workers of America. Voting is expected to start Dec. 4 and end Jan. 15.

Growth improved in nine of the Fed's 12 regional banking districts, the survey said. Growth was weaker in New York, Philadelphia and Boston -- areas where Sandy caused widespread disruptions.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and White House legislative chief Rob Nabors will meet on Thursday with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.