FOREX demo accounts are essential for investors to practice currency trading before risking their capital. It gives the opportunity to test out strategies and other market practices to see if the methods are profitable or mere hype.

A former executive at Stratton Oakmont, a notorious boiler room, has been found guilty of securities fraud — more than 11 years after he was kicked out of the industry by NASD Regulation. Irving Stitsky, a former managing director and junior partner at Stratton Oakmont, and two colleagues stole more than $18 million from 150 investors using phony or ginned-up private placements, according to a statement released yesterday by the U.S.

The office of New York insurance superintendent James Wrynn has ordered embattled bond insurer Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. to halt claims payments. Mr.

Stocks rose in light volume Wednesday following a drop in weekly unemployment claims to the lowest level of the year and a rise in new home sales. Trading volume was thin ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Canadian and American stock exchanges periodically close early or close for holidays throughout the year. Most North American stock exchanges operate on Eastern Standard Time. See 2009 Stock Market Holidays for information on closed days and early closings in 2009.