Gold and Oil Soar...

Gold (GLD) topped $1,000/ounce Thursday and crude (USO) hit a record $111, as a weak U.S. dollar, concerns over a shaky U.S. economy, and inflationary fears saw investors moving money to tangible assets. "The funds keep throwing big-time money at commodities," a gold analyst said. Some experts say the gold rush is likely far from over, while noting sentiment can and does change quickly.

Zumiez 4Q Net Climbs 10%...

Zumiez's (ZUMZ) net income rose despite challenges late in quarter and the surf-and-skate company said it remains "upbeat" about its prospects going forward. The company offered 2008 guidance bracketing analysts' expectations, sending shares up after-hours. Zumiez's net income rose 10% to $12.4 million, or 42 cents a share, up from $11.3 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue grew 13% to $126.6 million from $112.4 million while same-store sales rose 4%, compared with a 12% rise a year earlier.

Analysts' latest mean estimates were for earnings of 38 cents a share on revenue of $126 million. Gross margin slid to 38.4% from 39.3%.

Looking ahead, Zumiez, which has most of its stores in the West, expects fiscal year per-share earnings of 90 cents to 93 cents on same-store sales flat or up in the low single digits. Analysts' mean estimate was for fiscal year earnings of 92 cents.

Aeropostale Beats Estimates...

Aeropostale (ARO) reported net income of $64.7 million, or 95 cents a share, up 13% from $57.3 million, or 72 cents a share, a year earlier. The quarter for all three firms ended Feb. 2. Excluding items, earnings rose to 93 cents a share from 67 cents.

Aeropostale in January raised its earnings guidance to 87 cents a share.

Analysts' latest mean estimate was for earnings of 88 cents a share, according to a poll by Thomson Financial.

Genentech Boosts 2008 Forecast...

Biotech company Genentech (DNA) now expects 2008 earnings excluding items of $3.35 to $3.45 a share, revised from a prior forecast of $3.30 to $3.45 a share.

CPI Shows Inflation Slowing...

Consumer prices were unexpectedly flat last month, paving the way for a large interest rate reduction by the Fed next week to shore up the economy. Wall Street economists had expected a sharper 0.2% rise in both the headline and core indexes.

Bear Stearns to Get Financing From JP Morgan...

J.P. Morgan Chase says it agreed, in combination with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to provide secured financing to Bear Stearns as needed for an initial period of up to 28 days. Bear Stearn's CEO Alan Schwartz says the firm's liquidity position in the last 24 hours has significantly deteriorated. Bear Stearns shares are down 43%.

Today's Top Stories....

• Carlyle studying ways to compensate Carlyle Capital investors - report

• Target, JP Morgan in talks on credit card deal - report

• Exxon Mobil upgraded to ‘outperform’ at Credit Suisse

• Boeing upgraded to 'overweight' from 'equal-weight' at Morgan Stanley

• Napster and Telefonica's O2 link up to offer 5 million tracks - report

• Steris names Michael Tokich as CFO; to buy back up to $300 million of stock