NATION

NATION

Daimler AG negotiates with private-equity firm

DETROIT — Germany’s Daimler AG said Wednesday that it is in talks to sell its remaining stake in Chrysler LLC to private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP.

Daimler spokesman Han Tjan confirmed a report in Germany’s Manager Magazin that the company is in talks to sell the 19.9 percent it owns in the U.S.-based automaker, but he would not say how long the discussions have taken place or give other details.

Midwest home sales fared worse in August ’08

NEW YORK — Existing home sales in the Midwest tumbled nearly 18 percent in August from last year, while the median sales price in the region fell 5.6 percent to $168,000, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

Compared with the country as a whole, home sales were a bit weaker in the Midwest, but prices held up better.

Nationally, sales — without adjusting for seasonal factors — were down 15 percent in August from a year ago, while the median price slid 9.5 percent to $203,100.

Health insurance premiums have risen 5% this year

WASHINGTON — Health insurance premiums rose a modest 5 percent this year for coverage that’s getting skimpier, researchers say.

The 5 percent increase was comparable to last year’s uptick.

Overall, premiums for family coverage increased to $12,680 and premiums for single coverage increased to $4,704, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust. Employers pick up, on average, about three-quarters of that cost.

Associated Press