UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks down Monday, up for 2007 ... Crude oil ends 2007 down ... Basics may be $1,400 more in Italy in '08 ... Subsidy helps keep small airports on radar ... News from United Press International.

U.S. stocks down Monday, up for 2007 NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes closed down Monday but finished the year on the positive side despite credit market woes.

Microsoft readies for post-Gates era REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Microsoft no longer will have Bill Gates at the day-to-day helm in 2008 -- seen by some as one of several challenges faced by the U.S. computer giant.

Crude oil ends 2007 down NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices finished Monday down 2 cents, closing at $95.98 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brahmos buys plant for missile-making MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Russian-Indian joint venture bought a manufacturing facility in India so it can double production of its supersonic cruise missiles, the company said.

Basics may be $1,400 more in Italy in '08 ROME, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A consumer rights group says the typical Italian household may spend at least $1,400 more in 2008 to cover essentials such as food, utilities and fuel.

U.S. economy's future could be lean DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A sluggish economy may weigh down corporate profits, making for potentially leaner times in 2008, some analysts say.

Brown: Belt-tightening in Britain likely LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Britain must be prepared to tighten its belt in the wake of a global credit crunch, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

China's wealth fund funds China's bank BEIJING, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- China's wealth fund, with high-profile stakes in Blackstone Group and Morgan Stanley in the United States, has pumped $20 billion into China Development Bank.

Subsidy helps keep small airports on radar WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 30-year-old U.S. government subsidy program that helps provide commercial air service to smaller communities grows despite criticism in Washington.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks trend down at midday ... Home sales rise slightly in November ... Champagne prices to bubble up in '08 ... Trading flat in Aussie shares ... News from United Press International.

Home sales rise slightly in November WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Existing-home sales rose slightly in November, indicating the U.S. housing market is stabilizing slightly, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.

Champagne prices to bubble up in '08 SCARSDALE, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- People wanting to taste the good life, such as sipping pricey Champagne, might to do so now as U.S. analysts say luxury items will cost more in 2008.

Trading flat in Aussie shares SYDNEY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Australian share market ended 2007 in negative territory after a flat day of trading ahead of the New Year holiday.

Tech glitches made kids wait for Webkinz NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Technical problems forced operators of the Webkinz Web site to shut it down for more than 24 hours, disappointing children who got Webkinz toys for Christmas.

Australian debtors could lose homes CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Australians who have run up credit card bills they are unable to repay may face the loss of their homes, a consumer advocacy group says.

Russia: 2007 inflation at 12 percent MOSCOW, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Inflation in Russia is expected to reach 12 percent by the end of 2007, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Saturday.

Apple patents fuel technology rumors CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A series of patents by the U.S. computer giant Apple Inc. has led to speculation about new technology that may soon become available.

AOL pulling plug on Netscape browser DULLES, Va., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- American Online announced it will no longer support its Netscape Internet browser as of Feb. 1, citing a declining share of the browser market.

AirFrance-KLM to open talks for Aitalia ROME, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Italian cabinet has approved negotiations aimed at Air France-KLM acquiring the government's controlling stake in struggling Alitalia.

Economists speculate on rising yuan BEIJING, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- China's yuan rose sharply against the U.S. dollar adding weight to rumors China would bow to international pressure and allow the currency to appreciate.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Liquidators move into busy season ... British housing market weakens ... Chicago gives Trump hotel the go-ahead ... Former Sears chairman Brennan dies ... News from United Press International.

Liquidators move into busy season WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Liquidators nationwide already are reselling the millions of dollars in gifts returned after each holiday.

Former Sears chairman Brennan dies CHICAGO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Former Sears, Roebuck and Co., chairman Edward Brennan has died at his home in Illinois at the age of 73.

British housing market weakens LONDON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Home prices in Britain are deteriorating and houses are taking longer to sell than than at any time in the last seven years.

Chicago gives Trump hotel the go-ahead CHICAGO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Chicago officials granted Trump International Hotel and Tower a permit to occupy the hotel portion of the $775 million downtown project after weeks of delays.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks held back by housing concerns ... Crude oil has first losing day in week ... New U.S. home sales tumble 9 percent ... Macy's to close 9 stores ... News from United Press International.

Oil down in early trading NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Crude oil futures had their first losing day of the week with a late session drop Friday that left prices down 62 cents to $96 a barrel.

U.S. stocks held back by housing concerns NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes limped home Friday after concerns over the current housing weakness and its impact on the overall economy clouded the market most of the day.

Macy's to close 9 stores NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Macy's department stores, struggling with 400 stores after buying May Company in 2005, said Friday it will close nine stores in six states.

Judge says Alaska can reject Exxon plan ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A judge in Alaska ruled state officials have the right to reject Exxon's development plan for a giant North Slope oil and gas field.

Los Angeles tries $10 toll road LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A trip on Los Angeles' eastbound I-91 express lanes at a certain time of day could be a costly venture – like, about $1 a mile -- starting next Friday.

New U.S. home sales tumble 9 percent WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Sales of new homes tumbled further in November, sinking to their lowest annual rate in 12 years, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Friday.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Stocks rally on bank reports... Oil moves beyond $97 barrel mark... Buffett opening bond insurer business... Mortgage crisis hits newspaper ad revenue... News from United Press International.

Coca-Cola to sponsor workout network NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Coca-Cola North America announced a two-year agreement Friday with ExerciseTV, an on-demand Internet fitness network.

Buffett opening bond insurer business NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, is opening a bond insurer business in New York aimed at making it cheaper for cities and states to borrow money.

Mortgage crisis hits newspaper ad revenue NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. newspaper industry felt the barbs of the subprime mortgage crisis through a sharp decrease in real estate advertising, a New York report said.

N.Y. union threatens New Year's strike NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Manhattan office building workers in New York threatened again Friday to call a New Year's Day strike as negotiations with building owners bogged down.

Aussie stocks soft amid geopolitical risk SYDNEY, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The Australian share market scrambled back from early steeper losses Friday and finished 0.2 percent down amid concerns over the situation in Pakistan.

Citigroup, Merrill face big write-downs NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A Goldman Sachs analyst has warned U.S. financial giants Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan Chase face fourth-quarter write-downs of collateralized debt.

Crude oil rises on falling inventories NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Prices for crude oil rose to $96.83 per barrel Thursday on the New York Mercantile Exchange after a report U.S. inventories fell more than expected last month.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks fall on bad news ... Durable-goods orders rise in November ... Insurance losses hit $75 billion in 2007 ... EU dropping quotas on Chinese clothes ... News from United Press International.

U.S. stocks fall on bad news NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks tumbled Thursday as investors reacted to a weak durable-goods report and the assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Airlines let passengers check own bags TORONTO, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Air Canada has launched a pilot project that allows passengers to tag and check their own luggage after using an electronic check-in kiosk.

EU dropping quotas on Chinese clothes BRUSSELS, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The European Union is easing restrictions on Chinese-made clothes at year's end despite warnings of a possible repeat of dumping by China.

PPG Industries sale falls through PITTSBURGH, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- PPG Industries Inc.'s $500 million sale of its automotive glass business to private-equity firm Platinum Equity of Beverly Hills, Calif., may not be completed.

Insurance losses hit $75 billion in 2007 FRANKFURT, Germany, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The insurance industry faced $75 billion in losses despite a lack of "mega-catastrophes" in 2007, German reinsurer Munich Re said Thursday.

'Grinch' glitch hits Wal-Mart gift cards FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Shoppers trying to redeem holiday gift cards at Wal-Mart stores the day after Christmas found their purchase power rejected at the checkout counter.

Durable-goods orders rise in November WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Orders for durable goods, products designed to last at least three years, rose 0.1 percent in November, the U.S. Commerce Department said.

Sony to drop rear-projection TVs TOKYO, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Sony Corp. said Thursday it will cease production of rear-projection television sets in February and step up marketing of flat screen TVs.