U.S. factory orders rise on strong aircraft demand (Reuters via

U.S. factory orders rise on strong aircraft demand (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Hefty orders for U.S. aircraft buoyed otherwise weak factory orders in November, a report showed on Wednesday, the second in as many days to raise concerns about U.S. manufacturing.

Refinancing Car Loans Can Save After Interest Rate Cuts (Action News 4 Pittsburgh)
As interest rates drop, people's thoughts turn to refinancing -- refinancing their home loan, that is. What they don't know is that refinancing an auto loan is easier to do, and it can save you some serious money.

Bulls and bears see the same signs but interpret them differently (Kansas City Star)
Go ahead, be bullish. The coming year should be a good one for stocks. Sure, interest rates will go up. Inflation, too.

Vital Signs for the Week of Jan. 2 (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! Asia News)
On tap: December jobs and vehicle sales data, national business activity indexes, construction spending for November, and more

Business briefs, January 6 (Rocky Mountain News)
Labor unions announced Thursday they would pursue legislation in Colorado and about 30 other states this year to require large employers, including Wal-Mart, to spend more on health care benefits or contribute to Medicaid.

30-year mortgages dip, other home loans mixed (The Times)
WASHINGTON -- Rates on 30-year mortgages dipped this week, although it was a mixed bag for rates on other home loans.

Global malaise in 2006? (MENAFN)
Global malaise in 2006?

Detroit's 'Big Three' Automakers Launch New Incentive Programs
General Motors, Chrysler and Ford announce new programs in efforts to boost slackening year-end sales.
Perry Stern