U.S. stocks turn higher as insurers rally

Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:01:29 -0500

U.S. stocks turn higher as insurers rally

U.S. stocks erase losses and shoot higher as insurer Hartford
Financial Services Group Inc. leads a rally in the financial sector by
hiking its earning forecast for the year.

ECONOMIC REPORT: U.S. ECONOMY SHEDS AN 'ALARMING' 533,000 JOBS IN NOVEMBER

U.S. nonfarm payrolls plunged by 533,000 in November, the worst job
loss in 34 years, the Labor Department reports.

NEARLY 10% OF U.S. MORTGAGES ARE DELINQUENT OR IN FORECLOSURE

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.

RYANAIR MAY BE CLOSING IN ON AER LINGUS WITH SWEETENED TERMS

The near collapse of the Irish economy and a sweetened sales pitch may
finally allow Ryanair Holdings, Europe's largest low-cost airline, to
bag rival Aer Lingus Group after a two-year wait.