In Brief

Casino revenue in Macau drops

Macau casino revenue slipped for a third consecutive quarter as travel restrictions on mainland residents slowed growth in visitor arrivals.

Casino revenue declined to $3 billion in the fourth quarter from $3.2 billion in the previous three-month period, according to figures posted on the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau's Web site.

China has curbed mainland tourists' trips to Macau, the only place in the country with legal casinos, to limit growth in high-roller betting and maintain social stability. Gambling-revenue growth slowed to 31 percent last year from 47 percent in 2007.

Macau's gambling revenue began surging in 2004, when the city's first foreign-owned resort opened after the end of a legal monopoly on casinos.

WASHINGTON

Chrysler LLC to get $1.5 billion loan

The Treasury Department said Friday it will provide a $1.5 billion loan to Chrysler LLC's financing arm, and the automaker announced it will immediately use the money to offer zero-percent financing on several models and expand lending to car buyers with less than ideal credit.

The Treasury said the new aid is in addition to the $17.4 billion in loans earmarked for Chrysler and General Motors Corp. last month in an effort to buy time for the two companies to reorganize and return the domestic auto industry to profitability.

"We have customers who want to buy our vehicles, dealers who want to order vehicles and employees who want to build cars," Chrysler executive Jim Press said in a statement, adding those with credit scores of about 620 will now qualify. "Now with enhanced financing available in the system we can help our customers get the credit they deserve and help drive America forward."

NEW YORK

Johnson Controls posts quarterly loss

Johnson Controls Inc., which makes building and automotive systems, said Friday it lost $608 million in its fiscal first quarter and warned that it expects a loss for this quarter, blaming the continued downturn in automotive and construction markets that spread from the U.S. to other key markets around the world.

The Milwaukee-based company said its loss amounted to $1.02 per share. That contrasts with a profit of $235 million, or 39 cents per share, in the prior-year quarter.

NEW YORK

Treasury prices fall; investors favor stocks

Treasury prices declined Friday, as investors reassured by banks' efforts to improve their operations cautiously returned to the stock market.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell 1.31 to 112.31; its yield jumped to 2.34 percent from 2.20 percent late Thursday.

The 30-year bond fell 1.16 to 131.06, and its yield rose to 2.91 percent from 2.87 percent.