Eponymous introduction

Rumors that have no merit

Chrysler says bankruptcy rumor has no merit: report

NEW YORK, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Countrywide Financial Corp (CFC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the largest U.S. mortgage lender, on Tuesday rejected market speculation that it was planning to file for bankruptcy protection.

"Any speculation about any kind of imminent bankruptcy filing is unfounded," AMR spokesman Andy Backover said, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Steve Johnson, president of Champ Car, was asked about the bankruptcy rumor on Monday evening and responded in an email: "I have not been informed and we have been hearing the bankruptcy rumor for 18 months."

DALLAS — The chief executive of General Motors Corp. is dismissing any notion that the largest U.S. automaker might soon seek bankruptcy protection.

Lehman was not alone in having a tough in an otherwise slightly positive market. Many financial stocks were driven down by worries about what may come out in second quarter results due this month. Insiders were insisting that the company was not a candidate for sale nor was it near bankruptcy.