Latin American markets roundup RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Stocks across Latin America remained at record highs this week to close out a year that saw some markets double in value.

Warm December softened U.S. natgas prices LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks flat as 2003 winds down ... Argentine bank workers strike again ... Alcohol beverage makers urge moderation ... Brazil's economy soared in '03

U.S. stocks flat as 2003 winds down NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Parlamat CEO 'a broken man' PARMA, Italy, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

U.S. crude oil supply fell last week LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Analysis: Is the U.S. the next Haiti? By MARTIN HUTCHINSON UPI Business and Economics Editor WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Haiti, independent two hundred years Thursday, holds a distinction that is almost but probably not quite unique: it was richer per capita in 1804 than it is in 2004. How do we know that by 2204 the United States will not have shared Haiti's fate, and be p

Beige could be the 'it' car color for 2004 By SHIHOKO GOTO UPI Senior UPI Business Correspondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

S.Korea hopes for recovery in 2004 By JONG-HEON LEE UPI Business Correspondent SEOUL, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Japan stocks outperform US, Europe markets By SHIHOKO GOTO UPI Senior UPI Business Correspondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Brazil's economy soared in '03 SAO PAULO, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Analysis: Malaysia's consumption leads way By SONIA KOLESNIKOV-JESSOP UPI Business Correspondent SINGAPORE, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Stocks edge up in United States ... Tanzi, eight Parmalat executives arrested ... Pentagon pulls Halliburton contract ... Bush gives federal workers a raise ... News from United Press International.

Pentagon pulls Halliburton contract WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Iran earthquake leading to diplomatic thaw By T.K.MALOY UPI Deputy Business Edtior WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Wall Street ends mixed Tuesday ... Parmalat founder ordered to stay in jail ... California bull housing market to continue ... Nikkei shows first 12-month gain in years ... Russian oil giant owes $3.3 billion ... News from United Press International

Nikkei shows first 12-month gain in years TOKYO, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Russian oil giant owes $3.3 billion MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Analysis-Indonesia faces key year By SONIA KOLESNIKOV-JESSOP UPI Business Correspondent SINGAPORE, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Wall Street ends mixed Tuesday NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Companies cash in with war-inspired toys By DAR HADDIX UPI Correspondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Survey: Hispanics not investing By THOM J. ROSE WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Parmalat founder ordered to stay in jail MILAN, Italy, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Data suggest US economy not as robust WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

U.S. consumer confidence falls NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks fall on lack of news ... FedEx buys Kinko's for $2.4 billion ... Parmalat chief in third day of grilling ... FDA moves to ban ephedra ... News from United Press International.

FDA moves to ban ephedra WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

M&M's to go black-and-white, for a while NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

FedEx buys Kinko's for $2.4 billion MEMPHIS, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

E-commerce enjoys best holiday season yet By T.K.MALOY UPI Deputy Business Editor WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Interview: Joe Gatto, StarMine Corporation By MARTIN HUTCHINSON UPI Business and Economics Editor WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Whatever your view of Wall Street analysts, there's no question that some are better than others. StarMine Corporation tracks the earnings and stock prediction capabilities of Wall Street's analysts, and adds value for institutional investors by doing so.

Wall Street extends Santa Claus rally NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Parmalat boss questioned in jail MILAN, Italy, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

China a close second to US beer drinkers By SHIHOKO GOTO Senior Business Correspondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Outside View: '04 Info Trends By MERRIE SPAETH DALLAS, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Micron Technologies' revenues up sharply BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Firm offers free job hunting advice CHICAGO, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Milan exchange puts Parmalat on hold ... IRS trying to speed business tax audits ... Hollywood's revenues fell in 2003 ... China faces slowed economy in 2004 ... Arizona town offered for sale on eBay ... News from United Press International.

Milan exchange puts Parmalat on hold MILAN, Italy, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

The Bear's Lair: Put Grandpa back to work! By MARTIN HUTCHINSON UPI Business and Economics Editor WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The CBO Monday released its long term budget forecast for the next 50 years, which showed that if nothing was done the Federal deficit would total 17 percent of gross domestic product by 2050, and Federal debt held by the public would exceed 200 percent o

Analysis-Singapore faces labor challenges By SONIA KOLESNIKOV-JESSOP UPI Business Correspondent SINGAPORE, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Over the last couple of years, the Singapore government has strived to reinvent the economy in the face of mounting competitive pressures from China and India by putting emphasis on the service industry from tourism to education and health.

IRS trying to speed business tax audits WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Pentagon to keep helping U.S. airlines WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Hollywood's revenues fell in 2003 HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 29 (UPI) --

Many states ready to files funds charges WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) --

Parmalat's founder Tanzi detained MILAN, Italy, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

U.S.: the 'mad cow' came from Canada WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Parmalat's accountants claim innocence ... FAO Schwarz toy stores to be 'rescued' ... Redskins' owner makes team profitable ... Syria, Iraq plan new oil pipeline

FAO Schwarz toy stores to be 'rescued' NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) --

Redskins' owner makes team profitable WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) --