Stocks in U.S. Can't Dig Out of the Red

CNBC reported that General Motors (GM Quote) is ramping up discussions of a potential buyout of Chrysler's auto operations with Chrysler owner Cerberus. Cerberus has also been in talks with Nissan (NSANY Quote) about a potential deal. GM lost 2.5% to $5.95.

Separately, Chrysler said that, on top of previously announced layoffs, buyouts and voluntary retirements, it will drop 25% of its salaried workers starting in November.

As for corporate earnings, following Thursday's close software titan Microsoft(MSFT Quote) reported results that beat estimates but issued a cautious revenue forecast for the coming quarter. Shares ticked up 1.4% to $22.63.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB Quote) shares tumbled 24% to $8.65 following a Goldman Sachs downgrade to sell from neutral.

Looking at the day's economic data, the National Association of Realtors said that September existing-home sales increased 5.5% to an annualized rate of 5.18 million. Economists were expecting 4.95 million.

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1 What would best describe your stance heading into the coming week of trading? Bullish Bearish Neutral 2 Which of these sectors do you think is set to move up in the coming week? --Choose One--Aerospace and DefenseAirlinesAutomobilesBeverages and Food ProductsBiotechnologyCommercial BanksComputers and PeripheralsConsumer NondurablesEnergy Equipment & ServicesHMOs and HospitalsHomebuildingInsuranceIntegrated OilInternet, Software ServicesInvestment Bankers and BrokersMediaMultiline RetailPharmaceuticalsPrecious MetalsSemis, Semi EquipmentTelecom EquipmentTobacco and AlcoholWireless CommunicationsUtilities 3 Which of these sectors do you think is set to move down in the coming week? --Choose One--Aerospace and DefenseAirlinesAutomobilesBeverages and Food ProductsBiotechnologyCommercial BanksComputers and PeripheralsConsumer NondurablesEnergy Equipment & ServicesHMOs and HospitalsHomebuildingInsuranceIntegrated OilInternet, Software ServicesInvestment Bankers and BrokersMediaMultiline RetailPharmaceuticalsPrecious MetalsSemis, Semi EquipmentTelecom EquipmentTobacco and AlcoholWireless CommunicationsUtilities View the results without voting