Apple hit after Macworld decision; analyst downgrades stock

Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:01:08 -0500

Apple hit after Macworld decision; analyst downgrades stock

The company's dramatic decision to pull out of future Macworld showsn
also has raised fresh speculation about the health of Chief Executive
Steve Jobs.

MORGAN STANLEY POSTS WORSE-THAN-EXPECTED $2.3 BILLION LOSS

Morgan Stanley on Wednesday posts its own quarterly deficit, dogged,
like rivalGoldman Sachs reported a day earlier, by frozen credit
markets, falling asset
prices and stagnant underwriting.

SEC CHIEF ADMITS REGULATOR FAILED TO ACT ON MADOFF WARNINGS

A key congressional lawmaker plans an inquiry into the activities of
accused Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, as the chairman of the
Securities and Exchange Commission says the agency failed to look into
allegations dating back nearly adecade.

FUNDWATCH: WORLD FUND MANAGERS SAY ECONOMIC DETERIORATION IS SLOWING

The rate of deterioration of the global economy has started to slow,
according to asset allocators polled by Merrill Lynch for its December
fund manager survey, which was released Wednesday.