The combination of large deals and a decline in oil prices was the highlight of today's trading session. The week started on a more positive note, with good news on both corporate and economic fronts.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the market pause next week, unless we get some positive news. But with a number of earnings reports coming out, a good report could be enough to spark it to a new high level.

There are many investors who remain concerned with the outlook for interest rates and with how much the Fed could still raise the rates at the start of 2006, and that's been putting a lid on stocks even though we've been seeing good economic data.

It's not an easy case. They have a lot of evidence. ... It's a case that deals with a degree of homicide. It's not a whodunit.

Under-the-table deals, sham transactions and the like can be easily concealed. Holding CPAs to a standard that requires them to detect all material fraud puts them in a no-win situation and they know it. Still, auditors can certainly do a much better job than they've done in the past.

[Finally, CPAs can only audit what is presented to them.] Under-the-table deals, sham transactions and the like can be easily concealed, ... Holding CPAs to a standard that requires them to detect all material fraud puts them in a no-win situation and they know it. Still, auditors can certainly do a much better job than they've done in the past.