Daily Investor Briefing: Wall St. boosted by earnings, S&P...

	Click to View in Browser 10/24/2014 Wall St. boosted by earnings, S&P posts best week in nearly two years NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed out their best week in nearly two years on Friday, helped by earnings from Microsoft and Procter & Gamble and as concerns eased over the possible spread of Ebola in the United States. U.S. new home sales at six-year high; recovery still fragile WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sales of new U.S. single-family homes rose to a six-year high in September, but a sharp downward revision to August's sales pace indicated the housing recovery remains tentative. U.S. appeals court rules for GM over Spyker's Saab sale (Reuters) - General Motors Co persuaded a federal appeals court to uphold the dismissal of a $3 billion lawsuit in which Spyker NV accused it of derailing a plan to sell the Swedish automaker Saab to a Chinese company. Ford's lower profit beats estimates; sales down on F-150 launch DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co on Friday reported a 34 percent drop in third-quarter profit, and revenue fell due to the cost of introducing the F-150 pickup truck. U.S. House panel to meet with safety regulators about Takata air bags next week WASHINGTON/DETROIT (Reuters) - The U.S. House committee looking into the defective air bags made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp will hold an initial briefing with U.S. safety regulators next week to learn the details of the regional recalls affecting 10 automakers, a committee aide said on Friday. P&G to exit Duracell battery business; quarterly sales dip (Reuters) - Procter & Gamble Co on Friday said it would sell its Duracell battery business, probably through a split-off into a separate company, as it looks to focus on faster-growing brands. 25 European banks set to fail health checks: sources FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A group of 25 banks have failed European health checks, while up to 10 of those continue to have a capital shortfall, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday, providing a snapshot of the health of the region's lenders. Deutsche Bank braces for $1.3 billion in U.S., UK Libor fines: sources FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank is bracing to pay almost 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for Libor-related fines as it nears a deal with U.S. and UK authorities to settle allegations it attempted to manipulate the benchmark interest rate, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. Ex-Bank of New York Mellon trader pleads guilty to insider trading NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former Bank of New York Mellon Corp trader on Friday pleaded guilty to insider trading based on tips from a former Merck & Co Inc employee about potential pharmaceutical mergers. UPS may hike charges for major customers for holiday package surges CHICAGO (Reuters) - United Parcel Service Inc may charge major customers more for a surge in late, unplanned packages or turn down the business if it threatens disruptions during the peak holiday season, a top executive said on Friday, trying to avoid a repeat of last year's delivery meltdown. Related Video Energy stocks to pick up through rest of the year - Garnick Gas and conflict dominate Ukraine vote Related News Washington tweaks retirement fund policy to encourage annuities Fund star Gross arrives too late to halt third-quarter Janus outflows 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