U.S. stocks cheer surprisingly good jobs data

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

U.S. stocks leapt Friday, propelling the Nasdaq index to an 11-year high, as Wall Street embraced the nation�s jobless rate dropping to a three-year low. See full story.

Don�t write bank stocks a big check

Money managers and strategists chime in on the prospects for the U.S. financial sector and how they are approaching these stocks, which have enjoyed a strong rally. See full story.

China feeds copper run, but gains may not last

Copper�s wild ride since August has given way to a big rally year to date as optimism over demand growth for the industrial metals, especially from China, gathers steam, but some analysts have serious doubts that it will last. See full story.

10 ways to trade penny stocks

The allure of penny stocks is simple: They don�t cost much money and promise big profits. But trading penny stocks is also a good way to lose money, writes Michael Sincere. Here are 10 ways to trade smartly. See full story.

Micron shares active in after-hours trading

Trade halt is lifted on the chip maker after hours as the company says President Mark Durcan will for now assume the duties of CEO Steve Appleton, who died in a plane crash earlier Friday. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Instead of acknowledging that banks have become a part of government, we keep pretending they are private institutions, writes David Weidner. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

What�s the State of Retirement in the U.S.? It�s plagued with problems involving Social Security, contribution rates and more that need fixing now. See full story.