What do three Yanks held hostage by Iran, global warming, and Paris Hilton have in common? They're in the news - and anything materially macabre for stocks is not.
The Fed minutes damped speculation, based on comments earlier in the week by regional bank presidents, that the Fed would cut interest rates next quarter. Richard Fisher, head of the Fed's Dallas bank, said the economy is growing ``forcefully.'' William Poole, president of the St. Louis Fed, said the central bank's stance on rates is ``about right.'