IBD'S TOP 10.(A)

Oil Surges On King Fahd's Death

1Sept. crude jumped to a near-month all-time high of $62.30 a barrel, ending up $1 to $61.57, a record close, after the death of the long-ailing Saudi King Fahd. His successor, King Abdullah, had run Saudi Arabia for years as crown prince, so policies should remain intact. But with fresh Iranian nuclear threats and U.S. refinery woes, traders had plenty of reasons to buy. More on this page

Manufacturing Activity Picks Up

2The ISM manufacturing index rose 2.8 points to 56.6 in July, over views and the best so far this year. Readings over 50 signal growth. Order and output growth jumped, jobs turned positive and input prices turned south. The ISM is the latest in a long line of evidence indicating factory and overall economic expansion has ramped back up after a spring "soft patch." More on this page, A2

Bush Installs Bolton In U.N. Post

3The president made John Bolton ambassador to the U.N. without the Senate's approval. The recess appointment is effective until at least Jan. '07. The move followed 5 months of arguing with Democrats over Bolton's management style, conservative views and harsh U.N. criticism. Dems twice filibustered his nomination. More on this page

Stocks Mostly Higher Despite Oil