Premarket roundup: General Growth Properties, GM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An analyst said Monday he believes defense contractors will benefit from increased Pentagon spending, boosted by the Obama administration and powerful members of Congress.

NEW YORK (AP) — J. Crew Group Inc. will likely keep working on reducing excess inventory as shoppers continue to pull back on spending during the recession, but the retailer probably won't reach a more manageable level until the end of the second quarter, an analyst said Monday.