NYSE

As NYSE Euronext plans merger with Deutsche Boerse AG it rejected less attractive offering of Nasdaq OMX Group and IntercontinentalExchange. Meantime, the two exchanges reaffirmed that their cash and stock offer is superior to the offer submitted by rival Deutsche Boerse AG.

"The feedback we have received from NYSE Euronext stockholders is very positive, and we would expect NYSE Euronext would, at the very least, meet with us and our advisors to discuss the merits of the proposed combination," Robert Greifeld, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq, said in the statement.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange as their shares fell too below the minimum requirement of the exchange.

Freddie Mac's common stock, now unlisted, will trade under the symbol "FMCC." Investors will be able to trade Freddie Mac's 20 classes of preferred stock.

Fannie Mae's common stock will trade under the symbol "FNMA." Its preferred shares also will be listed.

American Express Co said credit card spending increased in October from September in another sign that the worst of the financial crisis may have passed for the largest U.S.

As per recent reports from MoneyGram on December 16, 2008 the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) released an official notification that advised of the company’s non-compliance with continued listing standards requiring that stocks should trade at a minimum average closing price of $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30-day trading period. As of December 12, 2008 30-day trading price of MoneyGram averaged 99 cents per share.