MORNING BUSINESS MINUTE, THURS. APR. 13, 2006

The session started with strong earnings from Circuit City, which posted numbers 65 percent stronger during the last quarter than at the same time last year. We also saw the trade deficit drop, with the imbalance in trade with China reaching its lowest point in a year. The Dow gained +40.34 (+0.36%) to close at 11,129.97. The NASDAQ added +4.33 (+0.19%) to close at 2,314.68 and the S&P 500 gained +1.55 (+0.12%) to finish at 1,288. Stocks of local interest posted mostly positive results. Wal-Mart (WMT) added +0.88% to close at $45.90. AllTel (AT) gained +0.32% to finish at $65.59. Tyson Foods (TSN) gained +0.23% to close at $13.10. JB Hunt (JBHT) lost -0.23% to finish at $21.66 and Acxiom (ACXM) gained +0.85% to finish at $26.20. In terms of economic figures today, we`ll see February business inventories, export and import prices for March and initial jobless claims for the week. Also out -- retail sales figures for March. Overseas last night in Asia, the Nikkei fell -51.26 (-0.3%) to reach 17,111.29 at the mid-day break in Tokyo -- the broader Topix lost -12.1 (-0.7%) to reach 1,730.79. Back in the U.S. In extended hours trading, the NASDAQ 100 Afterhours Indicator gained +2.83 (+0.17%) to close at 1,707.58.