Computer problems shut down the Nasdaq system until almost noon Friday, and the delay created some problems for stock index traders who were trying to square positions ahead of the options expiration.
32.
In afternoon trading, the dollar drifted higher as traders squared positions and mulled over their next move since neither Greenspan's testimony or news on the terrorism front inspired any definitive market direction.
33.
The dollar held onto modest gains made early Friday despite a downward revision in U . S . first-quarter economic growth, as investors squared positions ahead of big events coming up next week.
34.
Crude futures settled lower Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, retreating from the $ 38-a-barrel benchmark reached earlier as traders took profits and squared positions ahead of the May gasoline contract's expiration.
35.
Despite the rise, action was limited as traders squared positions ahead of the release later Friday of U . S . jobless data for July, a sensitive barometer of interest rate and inflation trends.
36.
Dealers in Manila said that relatively heavy dollar buying to square positions ahead of the Easter recess is also weighing on the peso, which fell to a morning low of 38.700 to the dollar.
37.
"People were woken up by that statement and remembered that the usual trading strategy ahead of the G-7 meeting is squaring positions or buying " dollars, said Callum Henderson, a senior analyst at MMS International.
38.
Activity remained largely limited in the morning as traders squared positions ahead of the release later Friday of U . S . jobless data for July, a sensitive barometer of interest rate and inflation trends.
39.
Dealers in Manila said that relatively heavy dollar buying to square positions ahead of the Easter recess is also weighing on the peso, which fell to a morning low of 38 . 700 to the dollar.
40.
The nice thing about yellow pine, other than its price, is that a reasonable amount of strength can often force a warped or bowed board briefly into a relatively square position, something that most hardwood would not allow.
