U.S. stocks rise as financials offset Target's lowered outlook

Dec. 6, 2007

U.S. stocks rise as financials offset Target's lowered outlook

NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Thursday stepped tentatively higher, led by financial
shares as the market awaited the White House's plan to curb home
foreclosures, while some downward pressure came from mixed retail sales
results.

Retailers post mixed November sales

NEW YORK
U.S. retailers posted mixed November sales results, with lack of
must-have fashion items and no shortage of macroeconomic concerns
battering most U.S. apparel retailers while value-seeking shoppers and a
calendar shift aided wholesale clubs and department stores.

Subprime Today: Bush to unveil aid to homeowners, RBS takes write-down

President Bush is set to announce a plan to help struggling homeowners
avoid losing their properties, including a temporary freeze on low,
introductory mortgage-interest rates that would otherwise jump higher in
the next few years. The plan, expected to be announced today, seeks to
combat a rising tide of foreclosures by making it easier for lenders to
freeze the "starter" interest rate for certain borrowers for five years,
according to a document being circulated by the Treasury Department.