U.S. stocks slide as corporate outlooks disappoint

Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:01:34 -0500
U.S. stocks slide as corporate outlooks disappoint

U.S. stocks decline, putting the brakes on two sessions of gains, as
companies including Texas Instruments Inc., FedEx Corp. and Danaher
Corp. offer gloomy earnings projections.

GOVERNOR CHARGED WITH SOLICITING BRIBES FOR OBAMA'S SEAT

Federal agents arrest Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of
staff on fraud and bribery charges related to the appointment of a
successor for President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate and a
threat to withhold state assistance to the Tribune Co.

BOND REPORT: TREASURYS UP; GOVERNMENT SELLS T-BILLS AT 0%

Treasurys head higher, helped by a strong bill auction that showed
investors simply wanted assurance that they'd get their principal
back.

LAWMAKERS: FANNIE MAE CEO MADE POOR CHOICES

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made irresponsible
investments in recent years that cost taxpayers billion of dollars,
said House Oversight Committee chairman Henry Waxman, citing internal
documents.

CONSUMERS TRADING DOWN ON FOOD, GROCER KROGER SAYS

More shoppers are hunting for bargains in grocery stores and willing
to pay less for a no-name brand, the big U.S. supermarket chain says.
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The percentage of U.S. mortgage holders who were behind in their
payments soared to a record 6.99% of loans outstanding in the third
quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Friday, and the number
of mortgages somewhere in the foreclosure process was also at a new
high.