IBD'S TOP 10.(A)

Jobless Claims Fall To 339,000

1New claims slid 15,000 in the week ended Dec. 27 to the lowest level since President Bush took office in Jan. '01. Economists forecast a small rise. The holidays may have affected the data. Still, the 4-week average fell 5,500 to 355,750, a 34-month low. Continuing claims climbed, but from the prior week's two-year low. The data signal decent job growth. See Vital Signs on A2

Nasdaq Ends '03 With 50% Gain

2 Stocks racked up their first annual gains since 1999 as blue chips ended at their highs for the year. The Dow added 0.3% on holiday-thinned trade. The Nasdaq dipped 0.3%, but closed the year above the 2000 mark. For 2003, the small-cap S&P 600 climbed 38% while the benchmark S&P 500 added 26%. More on this page, B2

Security Tight For New Year's Eve

3Warplanes and bolstered security forces prepared to keep watch on celebrations amid a heightened terror alert. More international airlines, including British Air and Air France, reluctantly agreed to put armed guards on U.S. flights to comply with new U.S. restrictions. But the Coast Guard said many U.S. ports lack anti-terror measures.

Ethnic Strife, Car Bomb Mar Iraq