Stocks gave up a brief rally after factory orders showed their the weakest performance in three months and as investors squared positions ahead of the government’s June employment report.

In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, the talk show radio host said he would receive a $100 million signing bonus and about $38 million a year for eight years under the new contract.

The surrender of Samuel Israel III to law enforcement officials on Wednesday ended a manhunt that began shortly after he faked his suicide on the day that he was to report to prison.

The surrender of Samuel Israel III to law enforcement officials on Wednesday ended a manhunt that began shortly after he faked his suicide on the day that he was to report to prison.

Wall Street made slight gains in early trading on Wednesday ahead of a government report on factory orders.

New orders at U.S. factories rose by a sharper-than-expected 0.6 percent on a boost in orders for new aircraft, the Commerce Department reported.

The drugstore operator said on Wednesday that sales at stores open at least one year rose 3.4 percent, led by general merchandise purchases.

The health insurer lowered its 2008 profit outlook on Wednesday, and it announced an agreement to pay $895 million to settle a class-action lawsuit.

Kroger said on Wednesday it expanded its voluntary recall of ground beef products sold in two states because the meat had been linked to recent outbreaks of E. coli bacteria.

Richard A. Grasso will keep the $139.5 million he was paid as the former New York Stock Exchange chief.