[BRIEFING.COM] Sellers threatened to drag stocks lower for the third straight session, but buyers showed resolve and pushed all three of the major indices higher.

Helped by news that the Treasury is planning to extend bailout funds to insurers, stocks started the session on positive footing. Though an official statement has yet to be made, many expect beaten down names like Lincoln National (LNC 9.15, +2.26) and Hartford (HIG 9.59, +1.14) to benefit.