Media Digest 1/18/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Barron's

According to Reuters, IBM (IBM) issued a strong forecast for next year.

Reuters writes that Bush and Congress are looking at a $150 billion package to improve the economy.

Reuters reports that Washington Mutual (WM) posted a loss of almost $1.9 billion for the fourth quarter.

Reuters writes the NYSE (NYX) will acquire the American Stock Exchange.

Reuters reports that AMD (AMD) had a large lose, some of its write-offs.

Reuters writes that GM (GM) is cutting labor and other costs to improve profitability.

The Wall Street Journal writes that ACA’s struggled to pay off $60 billion of insurance contracts.

The Wall Street Journal writes that a large shareholder is trying to force out the head of Comcast (CMCSA).

The Wall Street Journal reports that the head of the FCC is mounting a major campaign to further regulate cable.

The Wall Street Journal writes that the UAW see the Big Three saving $1,000 a car due mostly to their new labor pact.

The New York Times writes that home construction plunged in 2007.

The FT writes that tech executives say that their industry is defying any economic slowdown.

Barron’s writes that Microsoft (MSFT) was added to the Goldman Sacks "Conviction List"

Bloomberg writes that Ambac (ABK) and MBIA (MBI) have a 70% default risk after their write-downs according to credit swap data.

CNN Money writes that Moody’s cut credit rating at several home builders.

Douglas A. McIntyre