Stocks Remain in Flux

Insurance company Hartford Services Group (HIG Quote) said in a filing with the Securities Exchange Commission that it had more than enough capital to keep its double-A credit rating at year-end.

Moody's Investors Service on Monday downgraded Hartford's senior unsecured debt rating and its short-term debt rating. Moody's said that Hartford's third-quarter earnings, along with weakness in debt and equity markets, were cause for concern.

Agricultural products maker Monsanto (MON Quote) announced its intent to buy Brazilian firm Aly Participacoes for $290 million.

Less fortunate among agricultural names was VeraSun Energy (VSE Quote), which said late Friday it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

In other merger news, The Detroit News reported that Cerberus Capital, which owns Chrysler, has ceased discussions with Nissan-Renault because Cerberus intends on merging with General Motors (GM Quote).

Ford (F Quote) announced that its October sales declined 30 percent from a year ago. Toyota (TM Quote) experienced a sales decline of 23% for the month.

Electronics retailer Circuit City (CC Quote) announced that it would close 155 of its U.S. stores and cut down on its planned openings as it considers its options regarding a restructuring.

Soft-drink maker PepsiCo (PEP Quote) announced it would invest $1 billion in China over the next four years in an effort to gain a foothold in emerging markets.

Airplane manufacturer Boeing (BA Quote) announced that a strike by the International Association of Machinists had ended after the company and union signed a four-year contract.

As for earnings, insurer PMI Group (PMI Quote) reported a wider third-quarter loss, and Goodyear Tire (GT Quote) announced a decline in quarterly profit.