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Optimism helped put some stability into Thursday's US stock trading session. The White House and US lawmakers have reached a tentative deal on an economic stimulus plan, according to sources. Separately, new data showed a bigger than expected drop in new jobless benefit applications- a positive for the economy. Jobless claims are at their lowest level in 4 months. A weekly government report on energy inventories showed both crude and gasoline stocks higher than forecasts. Traders say production in gasoline has slowed, and imports have been up. Demand has been tempered by the higher prices. More discouraging news on the home front. Sales of existing homes fell by 2.2 percent in December to a slower than expected annual rate according to the National Association of Realtors. French bank Societe Generale is facing a 7 billion dollar hit after a massive fraud by a rogue trader. The discovery has severely damaged the bank's credibility and forced it to get emergency cash. And cost cutting helped Ford narrow its losses last quarter. But the country's number 3 automaker is still forecasting a net loss for the 2008 year. Ford says its going to continue to cut costs, including offering buyouts to all of its unionized workers. Shares of Ford were lower in morning trading// Bobbi Rebell, Reuters, New York.