Stock futures lower ahead of unemployment report NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street was on edge Friday as investors waited to learn how many jobs were lost as employers slashed their payrolls in November. Stock index futures were trading moderately lower....German central bank says economy to shrink in 2009 BERLIN (AP) -- Germany's central bank predicted Friday the country's economy will shrink 0.8 percent next year as the global financial crisis takes its toll, just as parliament gave its final approval to an economic stimulus package that has been criticized as too timid....Brown-Forman reports 11 pct rise in 2Q earnings LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Liquor maker Brown-Forman Corp. says its second-quarter profit rose 11 percent on gains by its Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and Finlandia vodka brands....UK's Brown to press banks to lower lending rates LONDON (AP) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday he will press bankers to pass on lower interest rates to consumers to ensure the economy benefits from the Bank of England's sharp rate reduction announced Thursday....Oil near 4-year lows on dire economic news VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- More bad U.S. economic news kept oil prices anchored near four-year lows Friday, reflecting expectations of lessened demand worldwide....Singapore faces years of slow growth, PM Lee says SINGAPORE (AP) -- Singapore's economy may shrink for a year and faces slow growth for several more as a global downturn undermines demand for the city-state's exports, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Friday....Tough economy forces many US Muslims delay hajj DETROIT (AP) -- Zeinab Chami planned to save money from her part-time job and get a little more from her family. But the 24-year-old graduate student ultimately couldn't round up enough to pay for a trip to Mecca....Gold, other commodities fall on demand concerns NEW YORK (AP) -- Gold and other commodities prices fell Thursday investors extended their flight from the futures markets amid more signs of economic weakness....Merck 2009 profit outlook misses estimates TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Drugmaker Merck & Co. on Thursday forecast lower profits and flat revenue in 2009 - far below Wall Street expectations - with management blaming the weak global economy, generic competition, slower sales of key products and restructuring charges....Toll Brothers trims 4Q loss, next year looks worse Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc. warned Thursday that revenue in fiscal 2009 will be significantly lower than in 2008, despite ending the year with a slightly narrower quarterly loss....
