Stocks higher...Home sale increase...Sweet persuit of Cadbury

NEW YORK (AP) A weak dollar and stronger numbers on housing helped give stocks a big boost. The major indexes finished the day strong with the Dow Jones Industrial average hitting a 13-month high. A falling dollar is pushing prices for commodities higher.

Washington (AP) For the second month in a row, home sales were higher in October. The increase was more than ten percent compared to the previous month. First-time home-buyers were scrambling to take advantage of an expiring tax credit. That credit has been extended and expanded to include a credit for home buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years.

LONDON (AP) Shares in Britain of chocolate maker Cadbury are at their highest level in at least five years. Nestle may be making a takeover bid. Cadbury has already dismissed a hostile takeover bid from Kraft. Hershey and Ferrero International are also considering a possible offer for Cadbury.

NEW YORK (AP) At a time where delinquencies usually go up, consumers got more serious about paying off credit card debt this summer. Cardholders making late payments on bank-issued cards dropped to 1.1 percent between July and September.

INDUSTRY, Calif. (AP) Pro Football fans in Los Angeles are already signing up for ticket updates, even though the city hasn't got an NFL team or a stadium. Majestic Realty Company says a stadium Web site has received more than 100 thousand requests about general admission seats. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill last month clearing the way for construction of a football stadium in the suburb of Industry. Los Angeles hasn't had an NFL team since the Rams and Raiders left in 1994.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-23-09 1649CST | save this article / add to your favorites list