Detroit automakers closed 2009 with mixed results. While overall sales for the year fell, Ford Motor, General Motors and Chrysler Group reported strong December sales as bargain-hungry consumers sought to cinch deals at year's end.
Ford Motor reported Tuesday that sales of its vehicles rose 33 percent in December compared to a year ago. Sales for the full year, however, were down 15 percent compared to 2008. In the last month of the year, each Ford brand saw improved sales, and the company increased its domestic market share by a full percentage point.
Kraft Foods boosted its offer for British candy maker Cadbury following Monday's announced $3.7 billion sale of Kraft's pizza business to Nestle. But it remains to be seen whether Cadbury will bite on the sweetened offer. Read more to see how this and other news could affect stocks today.
