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Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. financial markets will observe a national day of mourning Jan. 2 for former President Gerald R. Ford, with the New York Stock Exchange joining the Nasdaq Stock Market in saying it will close.

Shares of RV-maker Monaco Coach Corp. slid Friday after an analyst downgraded the company`s stock to "Hold" from "Buy," because of a recent run up in the price.

Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. financial markets will observe a national day of mourning Jan. 2 for former President Gerald R. Ford, as major stock exchanges close and bond markets finish early to honor the country`s 38th president.

Apple Computer`s board of directors never met in October, 2001 to approve 7.5 million stock options for chief executive Steve Jobs, as the company previously had claimed, Apple reported today amid mounting concerns over a scandal involving the backdating of options.

U.S. stock market futures hugged the flat line on Friday on the last trading day of the year, with Apple Computer again in focus as traders await the filing of its annual report and with Marsh & McLennan in the spotlight on a report it`s near a deal to sell Putnam Investments.

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Apple Computer reported on Friday in a regulatory filing that it recorded expenses to adjust for stock option grants after an internal investigation, and said its board has "complete confidence" in Chief Executive Steve Jobs and other senior managers.

An investigation into stock option irregularities by Apple has cleared its current executive team of any misconduct, although CEO Steve Jobs was found to be aware or recommended favorable grant dates, the company said in its regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The major US stock exchanges will close Tuesday to observe the national day of mourning for the late president Gerald Ford, creating a rare four-day market holiday.

Apple waited until the last possible moment by filing its yearly financial statements today, but the company stood by Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs while disclosing it would expense $84 million to cover misdated stock options.

The New York Stock Exchange said Friday it will close on Tuesday as part of a national day of mourning to mark the funeral of President Gerald R. Ford. The NYSE joined the Nasdaq Stock Market, which made a similar announcement on Thursday.