TOP STORIES 
 
VW BUYBACK DEAL ON DIESEL-EMISSIONS SCANDAL APPROVED 

Volkswagen received final approval of a $14.7 billion deal reached with consumers and government agencies that could get nearly half a million dirty diesel vehicles off U.S. roads.

GENERAL MOTORS EARNINGS MORE THAN DOUBLE 

GM recorded significantly higher earnings and record revenue in the third quarter amid strong truck sales in the U.S. but signaled continued weakness in Europe on Brexit fallout.

STOCKS FALL ON MIXED EARNINGS REPORTS 

Major indexes were little changed, even as individual stocks made big moves after companies released a flurry of corporate earnings reports. The S&P 500 declined 0.4%.

DRAGHI DEFENDS ECB'S EASY-MONEY POLICIES 

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi launched a strong defense of the ECB's easy-money policies, stressing that the central bank is committed to keeping interest rates low until its hit its inflation target.

CATERPILLAR SAYS SALES WOES COULD LINGER 

Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of mining and construction equipment, said it predicts 2017 will be as rough as this year as the company suffers in the global commodities bust.

U.S. CONSUMER CONFIDENCE STEPS BACK IN OCTOBER 

Americans took a dimmer view of the economy this month, the latest sign that households remain cautious as economic growth lags behind this year and the presidential election nears.

U.S. HOME-PRICE GROWTH WARMED UP IN AUGUST 

Home-price growth accelerated in August-with the Case-Shiller index rising 5.3% from the previous August-as a lack of inventory and low interest rates helped push prices to near-record levels.

PROCTER & GAMBLE PROFIT RISES 

Procter & Gamble increased sales of staples from laundry detergent to toothpaste in its most recent quarter, sending shares higher despite a warning that growth will be spotty in the months ahead.

ONEWEB IN TALKS WITH JAPAN'S SOFTBANK ABOUT POTENTIAL LINKUP 

OneWeb, a satellite-internet startup whose backers include Airbus and entrepreneur Richard Branson, is in talks with Japan's SoftBank Group about a potential strategic linkup, according to people familiar with the matter.

KERING, PARENT OF GUCCI AND YSL, POSTS A 10.5% JUMP IN SALES 

French conglomerate Kering said Tuesday its third quarter sales were up 10.5% compared with the same period last year, as growth was supported by its main brand Gucci and smaller house Yves Saint Laurent.

SPRINT'S LOSS NARROWS ON HIGHER REVENUE 

Sprint Corp. reported a narrower loss in the latest quarter on higher revenue as the wireless carrier continued to add customers.

MARK CARNEY: MARKETS SHOULD NOT EXPECT CHANGE IN BANK OF ENGLAND'S GOALS 

Bank of England Gov. Mark Carney said that participants in financial markets have no reason to expect a change in the central bank's inflation-fighting remit.

MERCK PROFIT RISES ON CANCER DRUGS, VACCINES 

Merck posted increases in revenue and profit as a closely watched cancer treatment and vaccines bolstered results.

LOCKHEED MARTIN REVENUE SOARS, AND IT BOOSTS GUIDANCE 

Lockheed Martin said its revenue surged more than expected in the latest quarter. It boosted its quarterly dividend 10% to $1.82 per share and increased its share repurchase program by $2 billion.

KKR SWINGS TO A PROFIT, BUT MUST SHARPEN ITS INVESTMENT EYE 

Rising markets boosted the value of New York private-equity firm KKR's buyout investments, contributing to a third quarter that exceeded expectations. But the same forces that have buoyed its investments are forcing the firm to look harder for companies to buy.

3M CUTS OUTLOOK AMID FLAT SALES 

3M trimmed sales and earnings outlooks for 2016 and sees lackluster economic growth continuing into next year.

JETBLUE PROFIT RISES AS PASSENGER TRAFFIC INCREASES 

JetBlue Airways Corp. said its third-quarter profit edged higher as passenger traffic increased and fuel costs remained low.

BAKER HUGHES SHARES RISE AS LOSS NOT AS WIDE AS FEARED 

Baker Hughes Inc. said its third-quarter loss widened on charges related to its cost-cutting efforts and other items as the oil-field services company's revenue was hurt by continued weak demand and pricing pressures.

CIT REVENUE INCREASES 

CIT Group said its quarterly revenue increased and expenses were nearly flat as the bank continues to work to remake itself.

GERMANY'S THYSSENKRUPPTO SELL BRAZILIAN STEEL PLANT TO TERNIUM 

German engineering giant Thyssenkrupp is in talks with Ternium to sell its large steel plant in Brazil, a step that would finish unwinding the German company's unsuccessful investment push in the Americas, according to people familiar with the matter.

 
 
 
  ======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES ======= 
 
 
U.S. News 
FED'S TASK NEXT WEEK: SIGNAL DECEMBER RATE RISE 
 

Federal Reserve officials, wary of raising short-term interest rates amid the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential election, are likely to stand pat at their November policy meeting and remain focused on lifting them in December.

 
Markets Main 
BIG U.S. RETAIL BANK OPERATIONS UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER WELLS SCANDAL 
 

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency earlier this month sent formal letters to large and regional banks seeking information about sales practices and incentive-compensation structures following the Wells Fargo scandal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 25, 2016 13:16 ET (17:16 GMT)

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