Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 16

C2 MONEY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2008 DECATUR, ILLINOIS www.herald-review.com FEDS 1 Jf! 'J. 1 tant to hand over money for fear they won't be repaid. That, in turn, has made it harder for businesses and consumers to borrow. Meanwhile, Wall Street was poised to extend its advance to a third day. The Dow Jones industrial average added more than 70 points in morning trading Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the New York-based Conference Board says its Consumer Confidence Index for November was 44.9, up from a revised 38.8 in October. Last month's reading was the lowest since the research group started tracking the index in 1967. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected the November reading to slip to 37.9. Still, this month's figure hovers around levels not seen since December 1974, with Americans' views on the economy the gloomiest in decades as they grapple with massive layoffs, slumping home prices and dwindling retirement funds. Consumers nationwide are reeling from job losses, tanking investment portfolios and sinking home values.

They are expected to hunker down further in the coming months, making it likely the economy will continue to shrink through the rest of this year and into 2009, more than fulfilling a classic definition of a recession: two straight quarters of economic contraction. Continued from C1 In an effort to increase the availability of home loans to borrowers, the Federal Reserve said it will purchase up to $100 billion in direct obligations from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as the Federal Home Loan Banks. The Fed also will purchase another $500 billion in mortgage-backed securities, pools of mortgages that are bundled together and sold to investors. The $600 billion effort on mortgages came as the Fed also unveiled a new program to help unfreeze the market that backs consumer debt such as credit cards, auto and student loans. The program on consumer debt will lend up to $200 bil- lion to the holders of securities backed by various types of consumer loans.

Paulson said recently that the government was working on the new program, which will be supported by $20 billion of credit protection provided by the $700 billion bailout fund. The government, while looking to reduce fear in the credit markets, is eager to see lenders like credit card companies resume more normal levels of lending to help stimulate the economy. Since September, when credit markets first froze, financial institutions have been hesi nmLitLiVA mews. i Herald 8, ReviewKelly J. Huff RETAILERS Continued from C1 J.C.

Penney will have 20 percent more early morning discounts on Black Friday than a year ago, and Kohl's Corp. is offering 40 percent to 50 percent off on a wider range of brands, according to the Associated Press. Office Depot's nationwide Black Friday sales event, which begins at 6 a.m., will feature some of the year's most sought after gifts, including GPS units, computers and digital photo frames, the company's press release said. "Office Depot fully understands that the current economic situation is difficult for many of our customers, and that is why we are really focusing on value and assortment this holiday season, including Black Friday," said spokesperson Jason Shock-ley. Circuit City recently has come under fire with its filing of reorganization relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S.

Bankruptcy Code on Nov. 10. The Decatur store will continue to operate with "business as usual" for the holidays, said Circuit City spokesman Jim Babb. Circuit City has been promoting their recent campaign One Price Promise since mid-October. It's a pledge that the competitive price the company sets for merchandise will be the same online as it is in their stores.

"We believe One Price Promise will resonate with consumers who want to be sure they're being treated Melody Cook, Kmart layaway department employee, tries to find a place to stack another customer's purchase to pay on time in an area that has overflowed into two more store rooms just for Christmas gifts. 'I think it's still going to be a pretty busy day. People are going to be after the Terry Hotwick, Kmart manager So, you think there's nothingto do? Check out our expanded calendar HeraldcS Review fairly in the retail marketplace," Babb said. Circuit City stores nationwide will open at 5 a.m. Friday, and lines are expected, Babb said.

"Many shoppers line up early for the bargains and because they enjoy the excitement of this traditional holiday shopping kickoff," he said. "For items in very limited quantities, our store managers will hand out vouchers to customers in line at 4 a.m. When we open, we will admit customers in groups to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and associates." Terry Hotwick, manager of Decatur's Kmart, isn't worried about Black Friday Your Ad 4122 Lost Found 1 MISSING SINCE 1115 from Bay Shore area. Large apricot colored long-haired male cat. Declawed, very friendly.

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