It's the first time weather has shut the Exchange for two consecutive days since way back in 1888. The storm damage bill is expected to top 20 billion dollars. 

 

Well, it's good news for Star Wars fans. The Disney Studios has bought Lucas Films for just over 4 billion dollars. It says it plans to add three more films to the Star Wars franchise. The first one will be released in 2015.

 

The Swiss bank UBS is slashing 10,000 jobs worldwide as it tries to cut cost. The bank has posted a third-quarter loss 2 billion dollars.

 

The jobs will go over the next three years and amount to 16% of its current workforce. Some analysts are predicting other banks are likely to do the same.

 

All right. To the markets now.

 

Trading, of course, was suspended for a second straight day on Wall Street. Operations were open,though. In London overnight, the FTSE shed 55 points. 

 

To commodity prices.

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 86 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is 114 US dollars a barrel and you can pick up an ounce of gold for 1710 US dollars.

 

The Australian dollar is buying 104 US cents, 80 Euro cents and also 64 pence sterling.