REGION

REGION

Stoneridge posts loss

HOWLAND — Stoneridge said Wednesday that it lost $108.4 million, or $4.63 per share, on sales of $158 million in the fourth quarter. The loss included $108.1 million in one-time accounting charges to reflect the lower value of the company’s assets and $3.4 million in expenses associated with restructuring initiatives.

Earnings without the charges were $3.1 million, compared with $7.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Sales last quarter were off $27.5 million when compared with the quarter a year earlier.

Stoneridge is a supplier of electrical and electronic components. It is based in Howland but nearly all of its employees are based outside the Mahoning Valley.

NATION

Chrysler seeks more loans

WASHINGTON — Top executives of Chrysler LLC were meeting Wednesday with members of the Obama administration’s auto task force, discussing requests for billions in new loans to keep the troubled automaker afloat.

Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli, Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda and Chief Financial Officer Ron Kolka were meeting with the administration panel, said a Chrysler official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports