U.S. stocks little changed amid auto woes, oil slides below $40

Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:01:21 -0500

U.S. stocks little changed amid auto woes, oil slides below $40

GM, CHRYSLER REPORTEDLY TALK MERGER AHEAD OF EXPECTED AID PACKAGE

The struggles at General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC take a
surprising turn with the two automakers reportedly jumping back in to
merger talks as they await word from the White House on a crucial cash
lifeline.

VETERAN REGULATOR MARY SCHAPIRO TAPPED TO LEAD SEC

The choice of Mary Schapiro to head the Securities and Exchange
Commission indicates that President-elect Barack Obama is serious
about combining the agency and the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission, observers say.

ECONOMIC REPORT: INITIAL JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL 21,000; TREND AT 26-YEAR HIGH

Labor market conditions are weak and jobs are hard to get, according
to government data reported Thursday that showed a 26-year high in the
trend for
initial jobless claims.