Australia hikes quarter point, as expected
The Reserve Bank of Australia raises its policy cash rate, as widely expected, by 25 basis points to 3.75%, marking the central bank’s third rate-hike since September.

Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets (AFP)

AFP – A lack of details on how Dubai plans to pay off its 80-billion-dollar debt mountain will hit Gulf stock markets sharply this week when they trade for the first time since news broke of the emirate’s problems, analysts predict.

FTSE rises 0.30% at open (AFP)

AFP – London’s benchmark FTSE 100 shares index advanced in opening trade on Monday, after sharp Asian gains across Asia, on easing worries about Dubai’s debt crisis, dealers said.

How the major stock indexes fared on Monday (AP)
AP – The stock market closed out its best month since the summer, posting big November gains even as investors worried about the strength of the holiday shopping season.

FTSE slides on Dubai worries (AFP)

AFP – The FTSE 100 reversed early gains to trade in negative territory on Monday as investors digested moves by the United Arab Emirates central bank to soothe worries over Dubai’s debt crisis.

David Weidner’s Writing on the Wall: A new index to measure Wall Street
David Weidner offers a “carper’s index,” a series of statistics outlining what’s happening on Wall Street.

Mark Hulbert: Odds favor large-caps over small-caps
Even if 2009 were a normal year, a smart trading strategy over the next few weeks would be to bet that large caps will outperform the small caps. And this has not been a normal year.

Mark Hulbert: Apple tops the leader board
The stock now at the head of the most popular is Apple Inc., writes Mark Hulbert.