Chinese Stocks Close Higher After Volatile Day of Trading

The Shanghai Composite Stock Index closed higher by 2% after a volatile day of trade that saw circuit breakers lifted by Chinese regulators. Commodities and currencies all were swinging widely along with stocks during the trading day. Meanwhile, attention in the United States turns to jobs. The Labor Department releases its non-farm payroll numbers for December today. Economist expect job growth of 215,000 to 225,000 and for the unemployment rate to hold steady at 5%. Wage growth is also expected to show up in the December report. Gap (GPS) is in trouble. The company announced another month of poor sales. Old Navy even saw lower sales, which had been Gap's saving grace amid troubles at Banana Republic and Gap Stores. Campbell's Soup (CPB) said it supports the enactment of federal legislation for a single mandatory labeling standard for foods with genetically modified ingredients.