Stocks Extend Losses, Walmart Cuts Health Benefits for Part-Timers

Major U.S. markets continued their decline in Tuesday's midday trading despite positive jobs data. Job openings in this country rose last month to the highest level since 2001. The Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey said openings rose to a seasonally adjusted 4.835 million in August, the highest level since January 2001. AP is reporting Walmart (WMT) plans to eliminate health insurance coverage for most of its part-time U.S. employees. Similar decisions to cut health benefits for part-time workers have been made at Target (TGT) and Home Depot (HD). McDonald's warned its Japanese unit will slip into the red for the first time in 11 years. Problems after a food safety scandal are being blamed for this year's lost sales.