EU’s Peace Prize and the mockery of timing

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

Norway�s Nobel jury means well, but the shocking decision to award its Peace Prize to the European Union in the midst of a disastrous debt crisis is more likely to provoke bitter laughter. See full story.

Biden, Ryan blast each other in fiery debate

An aggressive Joe Biden comes out swinging against Rep. Paul Ryan in the 2012 campaign�s only vice-presidential debate, as the two trade blows on Medicare, Libya and taxes. See full story.

Gold�s primed for a breakout, but where to?

Gold prices have been sitting just a stone�s throw away from a record level and may finally be ready to break free from the tight trading range they�ve been stuck in for months. See full story.

Stock futures move higher as J.P. Morgan reports

U.S. stock index futures hold modest gains as J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. tops revenue forecasts and CEO James Dimon declares the housing sector has �turned a corner.� See full story.

Stocks to watch Friday: AMD, J.B. Hunt, Beazer

MarketWatch�s rundown of corporate headlines of interest to investors early Friday. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

The Republican candidate wants to talk tough but comes across as sounding reckless, writes media columnist Jon Friedman See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

Forgetting your coupons at home isn�t quite the inconvenience it once was � provided you have your phone with you. See full story.