U.S. stocks mildly lower to begin holiday-shortened week

Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:01:16 -0500

U.S. stocks mildly lower to begin holiday-shortened week
U.S. stocks fall after starting off on a mixed note, with investors back
concentrating on the fortunes of retailers and consumer discretionaries.

FREE-SHIPPING DEALS FAIL TO LURE MORE LAST-MINUTE ONLINE SHOPPERS

Last-minute deals for free shipping before the holidays were
apparently not enough to light a fire under online shoppers last week.

TOYOTA ON TRACK FOR FIRST-EVER LOSS IN FISCAL 2009

Toyota Motor Corp. slashes its profit, revenue and unit sales
forecasts for the year ending March 31, blaming a shocking slump in
the global automobile market and a sharp appreciation in the Japanese
yen against major currencies.

THREE IRISH BANKS WELCOME GOVERNMENT'S $7.8 BILLION RESCUE

Ireland's three major banks welcome the government's weekend decision
to supply them with 5.5 billion euros ($7.76 billion) in a bid to
rescue a financial system on the verge of collapse.