Time Warner Inc.'s (NYSE: TWX) Dick Parsons commented earlier today about not getting out of publishing. Reuters is also reporting that the company is weighing its stakes in Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) and in its AOL unit. A timeline has even been given for a potentially complete spin-off of Time Warner Cable, although that was indicated as a down the road decision, but none has yet been made.

In the past, Parsons had been leaning more to a "Keep AOL in the family" stance, but today's article is indicating that a consideration of a sale may come by the end of the year. Speculation has been more than abundant on this, especially given the impending "cash out" date at which Google has the option to essentially force Time Warner to either spin-off AOL or pay cash at the company's then-market value.

If the transition of AOL from a paid access service into a free content service has been as successful as the company claims, why then would it be reviewed for a potential sale? Follow the money. The $1 billion investment from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) for a 5% stake put in a $20 billion implied price tag on the unit. Is the unit worth more than that, or less? That's what the review will determine.

Instead of making a full sale, Time Warner may consider a partial spin-off of AOL back into a public company. This would give the online media company its own currency that is less dogged by the currently-unpopular conglomerate model so that it could make non-cash acquisitions. Time Warner should consider this route long before any outright sale, particularly considering that there would have to be additional goodwill write-downs for the added losses sustained. AOL now has many online ad operations that can openly compete with the other major companies in the field and the company has been making acquisitions.

This is a heated topic, that is for sure. It comes down to one's stance and opinion of the world. Wall Street has been force feeding the idea of separations to conglomerates (somewhat jokingly, just for the investment banking fees) to 'focus on core operations.' If companies divest too much they may end up just being smaller and more vulnerable without their old safety nets. No pun intended, but time and the markets will determine the outcome here.

I've stayed away from both the Blu-ray and the HD-DVD camps since these squabbling companies and groups -- again -- can't seem to agree on a single standard for next-generation DVDs. We've seen this story before. Remember the VHS-Betamax war? How about the DVD-Divx war from just six years ago? Do we *really* need another war over formats that will keep customers confused and downtrodden about buying into yet another technology format?

In an unusual step in this industry, Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), a huge media company that is starting to "get it" in a huge way (great news, really), has proposed a new DVD format that combines the Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats into a single disc. It has announced that the nation's two largest consumer electronics firms -- Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) and Circuity City Stores, Inc. (NYSE:CC) -- have agreed to carry the discs.

This is a win for the consumer, for retailers eager to sell equipment and avoid unnecessary customer confusion. As my colleague Jon Ogg wrote, it is als a positive for Time Warner -- which stepped in with a solution when nobody else could or would. Yes, it is a "third" format -- but combining the first two formats into a single disc should solve loads of stupid problems currently underway with the stubborn DVD hardware industry.

A day before the FOMC decision tomorrow regarding monetary policy and interest rate and the market seems somewhat nervous with futures pointing to a lower start early in the morning (7:00 a.m.). Disappointing news from Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN), lowering Q4 outlook, could contribute to the downward pressure on stocks.

While most investors do expected the Federal Reserve to keep rates unchanged, at 5.25%, the rate is still at its highest level in more than five years. The statement read tomorrow by Fed chair Bernanke, will be scrutinized tomorrow as, converse to previous statements that instilled hopes the Fed might start lowering rates soon, this statement might indicate the opposite. Some economists believe the Fed might resume the rate hikes.

With little on the economic calendar, and as investors await the Fed's decision tomorrow, the market will most likely concentrate on earnings.

• DuPont (NYSE:DD) already reported this morning results that beat Street targets, posting 49 cents earnings per share on sales of $6.31 billion. Analysts expected 45 cents EPS on $6.13 billion in revenue.
• Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) should report earnings after the close today of 3 cents per share.
• Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) should report Q3 results at 11:00 a.m. today with expected income of $1.24 per-share.
• In London, BP PLC reported a 3.6% drop in third-quarter profit on due to production loss in Alaska, higher taxes in Britain and a slump in refining margins.
• In Stockholm, Volvo reported its third-quarter results with profit rising 34% on rising European and North American demand as well as higher profitability at its Mack Trucks unit.
• In focus today will be Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE:KFT) that reported lower than expected sales.
• Tomorrow, Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:MO) should report Q3 results and is expected to post income of $1.41 per-share. Company might be in focus today.

The Fed meeting affected the bond market yesterday and will today. Bonds fell yesterday due with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rising to 4.83% from 4.79% on Friday. This morning, Treasure prices are little changed.

Overseas, Asian markets closed mixed. European markets are also mixed at the moment.

Futures are negative in early morning trade (8:00 a.m.), pointing to a lower start for stocks.

Here's a look at some key Blogging Stocks:

Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) closed at $81.46 yesterday. AAPL broke the $80 barrier yesterday.

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) last traded at $35.50 in pre-market trading, down from yesterday's close of $35.53. Wal-Mart and GE's finance arm are joining the race for a share of China's growing consumer credit market by issuing their own credit card this week.

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) last traded at $19.70 in pre-market trading, unchanged from yesterday's close of $19.70. The Departed moved to second place in weekend boxoffice, with The Prestige taking number 1.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) closed at $51.28 yesterday. Wal-Mart and GE's finance arm are joining the race for a share of China's growing consumer credit market by issuing their own credit card this week.

Jobs, employment data, non-farm payroll. That what's on investors minds this morning as the September jobs report comes out at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

Economists are calling for an addition of 120,000 jobs to the payroll, compared to 128,000 in August. Unemployment rate is expected to remain at the same level it was last month, that is, 4.7%. Hourly earnings is forecast to rise by 0.3% compared with a 0.1% increase in August.

Will this be enough for a third straight record setting day? After yesterday's upbeat retail sales and initial claims figures and as oil is back below $60 a barrel again, it might be possible if the jobs data is favourable. Although right now futures are definitely negative.

Corporate news:

• Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) eyes some takeover bids, aiming to keep the pace of acquisition. Shares were up 1% in Frankfurt.
• Micron Technology Inc. (NYSE: MU) shares fell 7% in Frankfurt after the company reported below-expectations earnings.
• Crown Castle International Corp (NYSE: CCI) is buying rival Global Signal Inc. (NYSE:GSL) for $5.8 billion in cash, stock and debt, paying $55.95 a share, a premium of 11.6% on yesterday's close.

Bonds fell yesterday with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rising to 4.61%, from 4.56% Thursday.

Overnight, Asian markets were little changed, slightly negative. European markets are mixed at the moment.

Futures are negative in early morning trade (8:00 a.m.), pointing to a lower start for stocks.

Here's a look at some key Blogging Stocks:

Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) closed at $74.83 yesterday. The options backdating scandal continues. Can Jobs claim ignorance?

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) closed at $36.29 yesterday. GE has been actively adjusting its massive business portfolio to boost the bottom line. While the Street seems to think it is working, GE will report interim Q3 results Oct. 13, before the opening bell.

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) closed at $18.61 yesterday. A joint venture that includes Comcast Corp. (CMCSK), Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Advance/Newhouse, as well as wireless provider Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) has won the 137 wireless spectrum licenses put up for auction by the FCC.The companies paid a total of $2.37 billion for the licenses.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) closed at $48.41 yesterday. Wal-Mart expanded its $4 generic drug plan in Florida.