U.S. stocks veer to mixed ending following Fed talk

Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:06:03 (GMT)
U.S. stocks veer to mixed ending following Fed talk

U.S. stocks finish mixed with equities mostly sticking to monthly gains,
after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke offered rate-cut reassurances, but also
cautioned about the economy and inflation.

The Fed: Bernanke signals Fed's going to stay on the rate-cut path

The Federal Reserve will remain on course toward implementing additional
interest-rate cuts, at least in the near term, although the journey has
become more treacherous as prices are rising, the U.S. central bank's
chairman said Wednesday. Downside risks to economic growth remain the
key focus of monetary policymakers, Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke
told Congress. Inflation remains a secondary concern.

Consumers start cutting back at bars and restaurants

While alcoholic-beverage makers tend to do fine in hard economic times,
the current downturn may take a bite out of the premium "cocktail
culture" that has been so much a part of the industry's recent
growth spurt.

Delta-Northwest deal idles, waiting for pilots

A merger deal between Delta Air Lines and Northwest appears stalled
Wednesday after an internal Delta memo said the carrier is still looking
for a transaction that will strengthen its business strategy.

Many Yahoo holders may be wary of a higher bid

Many of the large, institutional holders of Yahoo stock actually stand
to lose money if Microsoft sweetens its unsolicited, $31 a share
acquisition bid for the company, an analyst calculates.