Stocks higher...Natural gas price drops...American Airlines wants to cut jobs

DETROIT (AP) — With the average age of a vehicle reaching a record 10.8 years, Americans went shopping last month. Chrysler's January sales jumped 44 percent and Volkswagen saw a 48 percent rise. Ford saw 7 percent growth, while General Motors said sales fell 6 percent. Nissan, Kia and Subaru also saw double-digit increases.

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of natural gas is down to near a 10-year low after Exxon Mobil and other energy companies declined to cut production. Some experts estimate the nation has enough natural gas to meet its needs for a century. The price fell 4 percent in New York today. That follows an 8 percent drop yesterday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is trying to convince a judge that tobacco companies should be required to put large graphic photos on cigarette packs to show that the habit kills smokers and their babies. Cigarette makers argued today that they can't be forced to spread the government's anti-smoking advocacy on the products they legally sell.

DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines wants to cut labor costs by 20 percent, a move likely to include the loss of thousands of jobs at the nation's third-biggest airline. American, which filed for bankruptcy protection in November, is expected to announce later today how many jobs it wants to cut. A judge will have the final say.