GM Issues Progress Report

A BIG SHAKEUP IN THE UPPER RANKS AT GENERAL MOTORS. THE AUTOMAKER ANNOUNCED THE DEPARTURE OF ITS NORTH AMERICAN SALES CHIEF.

WORD CAME AS THE COMPANY RELEASED A PROGRESS REPORT FOR ITS FIRST THREE MONTHS OUT OF BANKRTUPCY. IT SHOWS G-M NOW CONTROLS JUST UNDER 12-PERCENT OF THE GLOBAL MARKET...ONLY A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT FROM EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
ON WALL STREET, THE STOCK MARKET HAD TWO TRIPLE DIGIT WINS THIS WEEK...BUT NOW IT'S ALL ABOUT EARNINGS. COMPANIES ARE REPORTING THEIR THIRD QUARTER RESULTS - AND INVESTORS ARE HOPING TO SEE A TREND TOWARDS BETTER REVENUE GROWTH, TO CONFIRM THAT AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS REALLY UNDERWAY.

THE MARKET HAD A MIXED DAY..WITH THE DOW DROPPING ABOUT 5 POINTS, WHILE THE NASDAQ ADDED 6.

THE GOLD RUSH CONTINUES. INVESTORS WORRIED ABOUT THE WEAKER DOLLAR SEE PRECIOUS METALS AS A SAFER HAVEN FOR THEIR MONEY. AND THAT PUSHED GOLD TO A NEW RECORD - OVER 1,043 DOLLARS AN OUNCE. THE SPIKE IS LIKELY TO START BOOSTING JEWELRY PRICES..JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

ALSO IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS...THE AIRLINES ARE LOOKING TO PICK UP SOME EXTRA FEES.
SOME OF THE BIGGEST CARRIERS HAVE ADDED TEN DOLLAR SURCHARGES FOR THE BUSY DAYS AROUND THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS. THAT INCLUDES NOVEMBER 30TH. AND IN DECEMBER.. THE 19TH, 26TH AND 27TH.

FOR MORE HEADLINES, CHECK CBS MONEYWATCH DOT COM. IN NEW YORK, I'M AC