Potential weakness for economy; Thain seeks new start; Financial reform taking shape

Daily Outlook - Nov 18

18 November 2009 @ 09:42 am EDT

U.S. inflation edges up, housing starts fall sharply

Construction of new homes in the United States fell sharply last month, showing potential weakness in the economy's recovery, while consumer prices rose slightly more than expected. Read Full Article here.

Thain unrepentant over Merrill tenure

John Thain, former Merrill Lynch & Co Inc chief executive, wants the world to know that he has never thrown a chair. Read Full Article here.

House Dems sharpening "too big to fail" plan

A key U.S. congressional panel moved toward toughening a plan for dealing with "too big to fail" financial firms on Tuesday, while rejecting a Republican alternative that is expected to reappear later. Read Full Article here.

U.S. coal industry stakes survival on carbon capture

A looming government clampdown on CO2 emissions is about to confront an already embattled U.S. coal power industry with two stark options: capture carbon or die. Read Full Article here.

Geithner: Lack of small-firm loans slows recovery

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Wednesday called on banks to "get back to the business of lending" and said a tough credit environment for small businesses will slow economic recovery. Read Full Article here.

MUFG profit up 59 percent, scales back Morgan plan

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group posted a 59 percent rise in quarterly profit helped by stronger lending, becoming the third major Japanese bank to post market-beating results, in a sign that Tokyo's lenders may now be on the mend. Read Full Article here.

EU ombudsman rebukes EU over errors in Intel case

The European Ombudsman rebuked European Union regulators on Wednesday for procedural errors in their antitrust probe of Intel but the censure will not affect a 1.06 billion euro ($1.58 billion) fine against the U.S. chipmaker. Read Full Article here.

China orders Microsoft to halt some Windows sales

Microsoft Corp has been ordered by a Chinese court to stop selling versions of its Windows operating systems that include fonts designed by a local company, citing a violation of licensing agreements. Read Full Article here.