msnbc.com: Business

• Stocks holding on to modest gains
  Wall Street proceeded cautiously Tuesday, with stocks rising moderately following disappointing readings on pending home sales and factory orders.
• Despite actions, Fed sees downturn lasting
  Federal Reserve officials feared the economy would be stuck in a painful rut for some time despite their decision to slash interest rates to a record low.
• Factory orders plunge in November
  Orders to factories fell for a record fourth straight month in November, reflecting the intensifying effects of the country's steep recession.
• Pending home sales plunge to record low
  Pending sales of existing U.S. homes dropped to a seven-year low in November, data showed on Tuesday.
• Services sector contraction slows in Dec.
  An index of activity in the U.S. services sector contracted at a slower pace in December as new orders and employment improved.