Market Roundup (LCC, GOL, DAL, IBM, WMB, WPZ)

US Airline stocks rose along with broad equity markets today. The top gainers in the list comprise US Airways Group

, Gol Linhas Aereas

and Delta Air Lines

. The NYSE Arca Airline Index gained about 1.1%. IBM Corp

has purchased a privately held software company, PSS Systems. IBM is planning to combine PSS Systems in its software group. The company has not disclosed the financial terms of the deal yet. IBM shares are up about 0.7%. Gold futures moved higher to reach its intraday high of $1,362 an ounce, due to weak US dollar. Gold for December delivery gained 1.77% to 1,371 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Analysts at Commerzbank said, “Support is coming from a very weak U.S. dollar again, which plunged against the euro yesterday on publication of the minutes of the last Fed meeting.” Shares of Williams Companies

jumped more than 9% after the company appointed Alan Armstrong as the company's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to replace Steve Malcolm, with effect from January 3, 2011. The company's CEO Malcolm will be retiring at the year end. Williams has named Frank MacInnis as the company's non-executive chairman. Armstrong has also been named as the chairman and CEO of Williams Partners LLC

. The company's lead director, W.R. Howell said "These moves ensure that both Williams and Williams Partners will continue to have strong management and board leadership." Read more