Stocks climb in short session
NEW YORK, Dec, 26 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks rose in Friday's short session amid optimism that corporate profits would meet expectations in 2004.
The Dow Jones Industrials were up 10.44 points, or 0.10 percent, at 10,315.63. Nasdaq climbed 4.59, or 0.23 percent, at 1,973.82 and Standard & Poor was up 1.40, or 0.10 percent, at 1,095.44.
The stock markets were to close at 1 p.m. and the bond market an hour later.
Meanwhile, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.5 percent, or 52.06 points, to close at 10,417.41, led by steel stocks, shipbuilders, machinery makers and real estate issues.
Flight attendant absences disrupt Delta
ATLANTA, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Delta Airlines canceled or delayed more than 30 flights Thursday because flight attendants did not report to work.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted airline officials as saying the heightened terror alert was not a factor.
Delta spokesman Joshua Smith was also reluctant to blame the Christmas holiday, but it was hard to ignore.
The national concern over influenza also was suspected, but Delta was the only airline that reported the problem, and most of the absences were in Atlanta where federal health officials say the flu season is normal this year.
Delta flight attendants are not organized, so it was not clear what the cause was.
U.S. retailers expect modest holiday sales
NEW YORK, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. retailers are said to be expecting only a modest improvement over last year's holiday season, when sales inched up by just 2.2 percent.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday stores this year are apt to rely more heavily on post-Christmas buying to plump up sales. Citing factors such as an unsteady economy, stingy discounts, stormy weather and a lack of distinctive merchandise, soothsayers predict the last days of December will be more important than in years past.
An upgrade to orange in the federal government's security-alert system seemed to cast a shadow over the final shopping days before Christmas.
Canadian retailers celebrate Boxing Day
TORONTO, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Canadian retailers had all available staff working Friday as the annual tradition of marked-down Boxing Day sales lured out millions of shoppers.
The spending splurge has grown in recent years to run for a full Boxing Week, the Toronto Sun said.
Boxing Day is a statutory holiday in Canada and some other Commonwealth countries.
"People do look forward to shopping after the holiday to get sale prices for merchandise that is marked down," said Pamela Addo of the Retail Council of Canada. "Definitely, it's a part of the season."
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