Daily Investor Briefing: Bank of America's Merrill to pay $132...

	Click to View in Browser 12/12/2013 Bank of America's Merrill to pay $132 million in SEC case over mortgages (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp has agreed to pay $131.8 million to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges that its Merrill Lynch unit misled investors about mortgage securities it structured and sold. U.S. authorities near deal with JPMorgan on Madoff violations NEW YORK (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co is working with criminal and regulatory authorities on settlements over the bank's relationship with convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, ones that would involve $2 billion in penalties and a rare criminal action, according to sources familiar with the matter. Wall St. ends down as more signs point to Fed taper NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Thursday as retail sales rose solidly in November, adding to signs the economy is strong enough for the Federal Reserve to begin reducing the pace of monetary stimulus. Adobe's first-quarter forecast misses estimates; shares fall (Reuters) - Adobe Systems Inc, the maker of Photoshop and Acrobat software, forecast current-quarter results below analysts' estimates, sending its shares down as much as 5 percent in extended trading. GM ties up loose ends as reign of new CEO nears DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co checked off items from its to-do list as the era of a new chief executive approaches, with the automaker announcing on Thursday that it has sold the stake in its former finance arm and in its French auto partner. Jury for SAC's Steinberg hears origins of Dell tips NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former asset management firm analyst testified Thursday that he received detailed tips from a friend at Dell Inc, giving prosecutors a link to show how SAC Capital Advisors portfolio manager Michael Steinberg obtained inside information. Insight: China CCTV Starbucks report set off storm inside network BEIJING (Reuters) - A China state television investigative report accusing Starbucks of overcharging local customers for coffee triggered enormous disquiet among journalists at the network and even some soul-searching after it aired. Solid U.S. retail sales boost economic outlook WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales rose solidly in November, adding to signs of a strengthening economy that could draw the Federal Reserve closer to reducing the pace of monetary stimulus. American Air orders regional jets worth about $4 billion (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc said on Thursday it ordered 90 regional jets from Embraer SA and Bombardier Inc in deals worth about $4 billion at list prices as it upgrades to a more efficient fleet to lower operating costs. Exclusive: Penney shrinks top name brands as own labels take center stage PLANO, Texas (Reuters) - J.C. Penney Co Inc is looking to the past to build its future. Related Video No bailout needed for Slovenia, for now Breakingviews: A run on guns Related News Hot U.S. housing markets turning cold: James Saft U.S. Treasury wants federal oversight of mortgage insurers 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