Metal futures and crude oil futures were mostly flat all day with gold up about 3 points and crude up less than half of a point. Natural gas gained 6.61%.

AIG ($33.03 | – 0.81%) had the highest volume of the day trading 217 million shares. Today’s volume is a result of the US Treasury selling off its stake in AIG reducing their stake from 53% to 16%. The Treasury gained $15 billion in profits from the sale of AIG stock. AIG has been trading between 30 and 35 since mid-August. 

Since the poor report on jobless claims last week and drop in exports in the international report this morning, speculation about a QE3 has increased. An asset purchase could improve exports by reducing the value of the US dollar. 

Important news besides Apple’s (AAPL | 660.59 [-2.15]) iPhone 5 debut tomorrow (possibly available for purchase by September 21st) is Facebook (FB | 19.43 [+0.52]) CEO will speak publicly since the IPO debacle. Facebook has continued its climb up the fourth day in a row hitting prices it hasn’t seen since August 24th.

Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) announced second-quarter revenue of $3.34 billion, net income of $446 million and earnings per share of 38 cents. The stock stayed even today, slightly down $0.09, but the after-hours announcement caused the stock to surge $0.39 in after hours trading. TXN 52 week low and high is 25.60 -34.24 respectively. 

Some big economic events this Thursday include Jobless claims, Produce Price Index, and Bernanke’s Press Conference.