The new jobless claims included 19,000 claims related to hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, bringing the total number of layoffs caused by the storms to 561,400. Hurricane related claims have been declining in recent weeks after peaking at 108,000 in the third week in September.

Thursday morning, the Department of Commerce released its report on housing starts in the month of October, showing a bigger than expected decline. The report also showed a notable drop in building permits.

The Commerce Dept. said that housing starts fell 5.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.014 million units in September from an upwardly revised rate of 2.134 million units in September. Economists had expected a more modest decline to a 2.050 million unit rate.

INTERNATIONAL MARKET NEWS

Asian-Pacific benchmarks finished mostly in the positive with the Nikkei in the lead, rising 1.7% and hitting a fresh four-year high of 14,411,79 on strong dollar and bargain hunting. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was another gainer, climbing 0.9%, followed by South Korea’s Kospi, up 0.2% after reaching an all-time peak of 1,272,80. The only decliner was Taipei’s Weighted Times, down 0.4%.

European markets ended higher, supported by merger-and-acquisition news and rising commodities prices which boosted companies like BP and Rio Tinto. Markets ignored troubles in automotive sector which fell on Renault’s cautious profit outlook. The German DAX 30 rose 0.7%, the French CAC 40 climbed 0.4%, and London’s FTSE 100 gained 0.8%. The euro edged up to $1.674.

OIL, METALS, CURRENCIES

Crude oil prices slid on natural gas inventories increase, easing supply concerns. Light sweet crude December delivery slipped 33 cents to $57.55 a barrel on the Nymex. Heating oil traded at $1.7350 a gallon. Gasoline edged up to $1.4815. Natural gas fell 3 cents to $12.30 per 1,000 cubic feet. London Brent fell 22 cents to $55.78.

Gold prices neared an 18-year high as investors are seeking alternatives to U.S. and European currencies, stocks and bonds. In London the precious metal closed at $484.60 per troy ounce, up from $475.75. In Zurich gold advanced to $484.40 from $476.45. In Hong Kong gold rose $7 to close at $479.65. Silver traded ended at $7.73, down from $7.78.

The U.S. dollar fell against other major currencies. The euro was quoted at $1.1722, up from $1.1686. The dollar bought 118.70 yen, down from 119.05. The British pound traded at $1.7178, up from $1.7163.

EARNINGS NEWS

Claire's Stores, Inc (CLE: chart), retailer, reported Q3 net profit jumped 40% to 38 cents a share, from the year-ago period. Sales rose 10% and same-store sales 9%, partly on the success of the retailer''s back-to-school merchandise. The group stated it sees Q4 earnings excluding tax costs in the range of 66 cents to 68 cents a share on sales up between 5% and 6%.

Vivendi Universal (V: chart), French media and telecommunications group, stated Q3 profit from continuing operations dropped 36% to 894 million euros ($1.04 billion) from the year-ago quarter. Earnings without minority interests fell 36% to 647 million euros. Adjusted earnings went 17% down to 525 million euros. Sales for the period advanced 12% to 4.87 billion euros.

Limited Brands Inc (LTD: chart), retailer, reported a Q3 loss of 3 cents per share, down from a year-ago profit of 16 cents per share on weakness in its apparel division, which led to steep markdowns on merchandise. Sales were flat at $1.89 billion. Same-store sales dropped about 3 %.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc (WSM: chart), home products seller, announced that Q3 net income advanced 30% to 31 cents a share, on 14.5% revenue growth, beating analyst estimate of 30 cents a share. Comparable store sales increased 4.4% and footage advanced 10.6%.

Johnson Outdoors Inc (JOUT: chart), outdoor recreation company, announced that Q4 net earnings improved to a net loss of 39 cents per share, up vs. a net loss of 44 cents per share for the prior year period. Sales rose to $77.1 million in Q4, an increase of 2% compared to $75.6 million for the same period last year.

Shoe Carnival, Inc. (SCVL: chart), retailer of value-priced footwear and accessories, announced record sales and earnings for Q3. Net income rose 39.5% per share to 53 cents from 38 cents per share in the comparable period last year. Net sales for Q3 increased 12.3 % to a record $182.7 million from $162.7 million last year. Comparable store sales increased by 8.3 % for the 13-week period. Gross profit margin for latest quarter advanced to 29.5% from 29.1 % a year-ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, dropped to 23.1 % from 24.1 % for the comparable period.

The Children''s Place Retail Stores, Inc (PLCE: chart), apparel and accessories retailer, reported Q3 net income of $1.02 a share, up from 65 cents a share in the year-earlier period topping analyst estimate of 91 cents a share. If not for a one-off gain of $1.7 million, the company would have gained 96 cents a share. Sales for the quarter soared 57%. Same-store sales increased 6% over year-ago levels.

The J. M. Smucker Co. (SJM: chart), jelly maker, posted Q2 net income of 79 cents a share, up 14% from 69 cents a share in the year-earlier period. The company reported a 3% rise in revenue to, missing analysts’ forecasts of 81 cents a share.

CORPORATE NEWS