STOCKS NEWS US-Markets open flat after data, ahead of Geithner

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0930 ET 18June2009-Markets open flat after data, ahead of
Geithner
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Major U.S. indexes opened flat on Thursday following a
weekly government report showing a steep drop in the number of
people staying on jobless aid.

Besides focusing on the data, investors will also look for
what reception Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will get
from lawmakers when he testifies before two Congressional
panels on the Obama administration's proposed financial
regulatory reform.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI rose 0.1 percent to
8,500.75 while the S&P 500 .SPX gained 0.1 percent to 911.23
and the Nasdaq .IXIC was flat at 1,807.45.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0914 ET 18June2009-HLTH to merge into its WebMD unit
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HLTH Corp HLTH.O on Thursday said it would merge into its
subsidiary WebMD Health Corp (WBMD.O) in an all-stock deal.

As part of the deal, WebMD Class B shares will be retired
and each outstanding share of HLTH common stock will convert
into 0.4444 shares of WebMD Class A common stock.

HLTH currently owns 48.1 million shares of WebMD Class B
common stock, representing about 80 percent of equity of WebMD,
which operates the popular healthcare website of the same
name.

"This transaction will eliminate the inefficiencies
associated with having two separate public companies and HLTH
stockholders will receive a direct ownership in WebMD through a
tax-free transaction," the companies said.

For details, see [ID:nBNG420714]

WebMD shares closed Wednesday at $28.21 while HLTH closed
at $11.76.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0857 ET 18June2009-Goldman upgrades automobile sector
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Goldman Sachs on Thursday upgraded the U.S. automobile
sector to "attractive," citing a recent pullback in the group's
shares.

"We think the rising tide of auto sales is likely to drive
shares much higher supported by lower auto interest rates at
captive financial companies, improving consumer confidence, and
a scrappage plan which is likely to come into effect in
September," the firm wrote. "We think we are still in the
middle phase of a cyclical rally and would use any weakness to
build positions."

As part of its call, Goldman upgraded ArvinMeritor (ARM.N)
to "buy" from "neutral," saying the stock was "poised to
benefit from a cyclical rebound in class-8 production." The
firm sees upside potential of 43 percent on the stock.

Shares of Arvin surged 15 percent to $4.01 in premarket
trading.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0851 ET 18June2009-BofA paying bonuses to lure talent: NY Post
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Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) has been paying millions in
bonuses in order to lure talent and retain investment bankers
the company views as vital, the New York Post reported, citing
sources.

Among those who are said to have received payouts are two
former Merrill Lynch bankers, Fares Noujaim, recently appointed
BofA's vice chairman of investment banking, and Harry McMahon,
the paper said.

Both were offered guarantees not to leave, the paper said.

For details, see [ID:nLI729151]

Shares of the Dow component rose 7 cents to $12.37 in
premarket trading.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net