Investors Looking Ahead To Bernanke’s Speech: Acadiana Business Index

Wall Street continued to push higher as investors await Ben Bernanke's highly anticipated speech on Friday. Mark Lasseigne fills you in.

•  Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 144 points to 11,321.

• Orders for durable goods climbed more than forecasted in July, with a surge in demand for aircraft and autos.
• In overseas markets, Asia ended lower, with the Japan's Nikkei Stock Average falling after Moody's Investors Service cut Japan's credit rating one notch, citing large deficits and bulging government debt.
• Gold plummeted $104/ounce in heavy trading as investors cashed out after recent record gains. Gold prices closing at $1,757/ounce.
• Oil prices settled lower after an abrupt late-day sell-off.  Earlier in the day a government report showed inventories fell last week. Crude-oil closed at $85.16 a barrel.