Business news for Mon, 31 Dec 2007 & with word report. 34 news.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- VeriFone Holdings Inc. said late Monday it probably will not be able to submit its annual report before March despite requesting an extension of the deadline to Jan. 14 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. VeriFone is in the process of restating financial statements for the first three quarters of its fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2007. It also noted that it is not certain how much time will be required for it to complete the restatement process.

Reuters - The pace of existing U.S. home sales edged up in November from a record low, according to a report on Monday that offered some tentative signs of stabilization in the still-ailing housing market.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pace of existing U.S. home sales edged up in November from a record low, according to a report on Monday that offered some tentative signs of stabilization in the still-ailing housing market.

Google shares edged below the $700 mark Monday as investors sussed out a report that the Internet giant is exploring a method of selling newspapers’ advertising space online.

Sales of existing homes edged higher in November, according to a report released Monday, but experts disagreed whether the better-than-expected performance represents only a temporary pause in the troubled sector's continuing decline, or tantalizing early evidence that housing demand may be bottoming out at last.

Stocks floundered Monday morning, on the last trading day of the year, after a report on sales of existing homes showed little improvement in the beleaguered housing market.

Six months ago, the Bush administration quietly eased some restrictions on the export of sensitive technologies to China. The new approach was intended to help American companies increase sales of high-tech equipment to China despite tight curbs on sharing technology that might have military applications.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Technology stocks began the last trading day of the year in the red Monday on what was expected to be a relatively light session ahead of the the New Year's Day holiday. Among bellwether tech stocks, Google Inc. shares fell $4.67 to $697.81 amid a report that the company is in discussions with several newspaper publishers to sell advertising space online. Declines also came from Apple Inc. , Microsoft Corp. , Dell Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. . The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index fell 11 points to 2,663.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - As more banks report write-downs tied to the global credit crunch, analysts say Wachovia Corp may have losses lurking in an area that has garnered less investor attention.

Stocks dipped early on the last trading day of the year ahead of the latest report on existing home sales.

Reuters - As more banks report write-downs tied to the global credit crunch, analysts say Wachovia Corp may have losses lurking in an area that has garnered less investor attention.

Paris-based Publicis Groupe led a tumble in European media stocks this morning, following a negative report on the sector from a big Wall Street securities firm. Shares of Publicis were off 1.2% to $37.89, following the release of the report from Citigroup's equity research team.

Surveillance is "endemic" in more nations than ever, a report by campaigners for personal privacy claims.

AP - U.S. stocks headed for a largely flat open Monday as investors awaited a report on home sales and looked to close a volatile and difficult year.

Traders await the existing-home sales report before locking in their positions.

Greece, Romania and Canada had the best privacy records of 47 countries surveyed by the rights group Privacy International.

Reuters - Merrill Lynch & Co is in talks with Chinese and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds that could lead to the sale of another big stake in the U.S. bank, British newspaper The Observer reported, citing sources in London and New York.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merrill Lynch & Co is in talks with Chinese and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds that could lead to the sale of another big stake in the U.S. bank, British newspaper The Observer reported, citing sources in London and New York.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Penn Treaty American Corp. said Monday that it has retained Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. to assist its board in reviewing strategic alternatives, which could include partnerships or the sale of certain assets. Based on a preliminary report by its actuarial consultants, the Allentown, Pa., insurance company believes that it will have to increase claim reserves and that there may be offsetting or partially offsetting reductions in active life reserves. The valuation analysis is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2008. Shares of Penn Treaty closed Friday at $6.49.

U.S. stocks headed for a largely flat open Monday as investors awaited a report on home sales and looked to close a volatile and difficult year.