Daily Investor Briefing: Dow, S&P 500 end at new highs after...

	Click to View in Browser 08/1/2013 Dow, S&P 500 end at new highs after data, stimulus in place NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow and S&P 500 ended at record highs on Thursday, with the S&P 500 rising above 1,700 after strong data on service-sector growth and as central banks said they would keep monetary stimulus in place. SEC prevails as jury finds Goldman's Tourre liable for fraud NEW YORK (Reuters) - A jury found former Goldman Sachs Group Inc vice president Fabrice Tourre liable for fraud for his role in a failed mortgage deal that cost investors $1 billion, giving the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a big victory. Consumers hungry for trucks in July; fleet sales weak DETROIT (Reuters) - Auto sales to individual U.S. consumers beat expectations in July and major automakers reported low inventories for many hot-selling models, such as Ford Motor Co's Fusion mid-size sedan, suggesting sales would strengthen further this year. AIG profit rises 17 percent, announces dividend (Reuters) - American International Group Inc reported a 17 percent rise in second-quarter profit, helped by strong performance in its insurance operations, and the company reinstated a quarterly dividend. Costs hit Big Oil; shale surge lifts smaller producers LONDON/HOUSTON (Reuters) - Some of the western world's top oil companies abandoned output targets and missed profit forecasts on Thursday as they promised to clamp down on rising costs that hurt quarterly results. SEC official says 'gratified' by Tourre trial verdict WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission official said the agency was "gratified" by a jury's finding on Thursday that former Goldman Sachs Inc banker Fabrice Tourre was liable for fraud. Factory, jobless data point to firming economy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Factory activity jumped to a two-year high in July and first-time applications for jobless benefits hit a 5-1/2-year low last week, bolstering views economic growth would accelerate in the second half of the year. Icahn sues Dell in latest attempt to foil buyout (Reuters) - Activist investor Carl Icahn sued Dell Inc and its board on Thursday, his latest attempt to derail a $24.4 billion buyout bid by the computer maker's founder and CEO Michael Dell. Chesapeake profit tops Street estimate, review underway (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp's new Chief Executive Doug Lawler on Thursday said a comprehensive review of the company's partnerships and assets is underway as the second largest U.S. natural gas provider seeks to simplify its structure and improve financial discipline. Judge approves Citigroup $590 million settlement NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge gave final approval Thursday to a $590 million settlement by Citigroup Inc that resolves a shareholder lawsuit accusing the bank of hiding tens of billions of dollars of toxic mortgage assets. Related Video Fed chair showdown: Yellen or Summers? Techquity: Sign of another Apple product, more mobile gains Related News How to get employees of small businesses to save for retirement Factory, jobless data point to firming economy A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend