UNITED STATES

Financial News

Stocks in U.S. Retreat on Target's Sales Outlook, Decline in Home Prices U.S. stocks dropped for the first time in four days on concern slower sales at Target Corp. and the biggest drop in home prices in at least six years signal consumer spending may weaken more than expected.

Buffett's Berkshire Will Pay $4.5 Billion for Control of Pritzkers' Marmon Billionaire Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. will pay $4.5 billion for 60 percent of Marmon Holdings Inc., adding another family run company that prospered without shareholder demands for short-term profits.

STMicroelectronics, Intel Delay Merger of Flash-Memory Units on Financing STMicroelectronics NV and Intel Corp. delayed the merger of their unprofitable memory units and said banks will commit less start-up financing to the venture than previously announced as credit conditions tighten.

Leap Wireless Restates Results From 2004 Through 2007 on Accounting Errors Leap Wireless International Inc., the operator of the Cricket and Jump pay-as-you-go mobile-phone services, restated more than three years of financial results after miscounting sales and costs.

Consumer Spending Will Stave Off U.S. Recession, Bear Stearns's Golub Says The U.S. will avoid a recession next year as a ``stable'' job market keeps Americans spending amid falling housing prices and higher fuel costs, said Bear Stearns Cos. Chief Investment Strategist Jonathan Golub.

Crude Oil Trades Above $96 on Speculation U.S. Inventories Declined Again Crude oil rose above $96 a barrel in New York on speculation an Energy Department report tomorrow will show that U.S. inventories fell for a sixth week.

Gift Cards Spread to Gasoline, Living Expenses, Help U.S. Consumers Cope Gift cards aren't just last- resort purchases by baffled holiday shoppers anymore. They're becoming the presents of choice for Americans who want to help friends and relatives cope.

General News

Republicans' Health-Care Tax Breaks Might Fall Short on Costs and Coverage The cost of health insurance for workers at Cheryl Rash's Blue and Gold auto-salvage company in Goose Creek, South Carolina, jumped 31 percent in October.

Clinton, Obama, Edwards Wage Door-to-Door Battle for Iowa Caucus Voters First, a Hillary Clinton supporter asked Bill Cobb if she could put a campaign sign in front of his Boone, Iowa, home. Then a backer of Barack Obama showed up. A few days later, a canvasser for John Edwards came by.

Bonds, Clemens Records Subject to `Mental Adjustment' After Doping Report Bill Hetrick pores over hitting and pitching statistics to select players for his fantasy baseball team and arranges his collection of 400 autographed baseballs based on the achievements of players who signed them.