AUTOS

Ford, UAW Close to Contract Agreement: The Dearborn, Mich.-based auto maker and the United Auto Workers entered the final stretch of contract negotiations with meetings scheduled late into the night Thursday, a person close to the talks said. Although some of the main issues are unresolved, the two sides are close to agreement on them. About half of the subcommittees already have reached settlements, and the tone of the sessions is calm, indicating there will be little trouble reaching an agreement before the Saturday midnight deadline. The pact with Ford Motor Co.