TOP STORIES 
 
U.S. STOCKS INCH TO NEW RECORDS 

U.S. stocks finished slightly higher, with the Dow industrials and S&P 500 closing at fresh record highs, supported by gains in energy stocks and a pair of upbeat economic reports. The DJIA added 33 points to end at 17719.

 
FED REVIEWS PRACTICES FOR SUPERVISING BIG BANKS 
 

The Federal Reserve launched a sweeping review of its practices for supervising big banks, a move that comes in response to accusations its internal culture can stifle dissent.

 
TAKATA LEARNED EARLY OF AIRBAG PROBLEMS 
 

The quality chief of the Japanese auto-parts supplier at the center of a massive auto recall said it first learned of problems with its air bags in May 2005 but didn't start to investigate or warn car makers until two years later.

 
GAP CUTS FORECAST AHEAD OF HOLIDAY SEASON 
 

Gap cut its earnings guidance for the year ahead of the crucial holiday selling season, even as the apparel retailer's earnings topped expectations for the November quarter. Shares fall 3% late.

 
GAMESTOP'S EARNINGS, FORECAST DISAPPOINT 
 

GameStop reported quarterly results that missed expectations and projected per-share earnings for the crucial holiday quarter that missed Wall Street's estimates, sending shares 13% lower after hours.

 
SENATE GRILLS GOLDMAN ON ALUMINUM DEALS 
 

Goldman Sachs Group executives faced a tough grilling before a U.S. Senate committee, as lawmakers accused the bank of engaging in a series of aluminum transactions to give itself an unfair advantage.

 
WYNN RESORTS PROBED ON MONEY-LAUNDERING CONTROLS 
 

Federal authorities are investigating whether casino operator Wynn Resorts violated money-laundering laws, according to people familiar with the matter.

 
U.S. ORDERS ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO SECURE SITES 
 

Federal energy regulators ordered the nation's utilities to protect important electrical equipment from potential attackers trying to disrupt the U.S. electric grid.

 
BEST BUY ENCOURAGED BY SALES TRENDS 
 

Best Buy sales grew at their fastest rate in more than four years, helped by more disciplined marketing, greater investments by suppliers in its stores and brisk demand for the new iPhone. Shares end up 7%.

 
GROSS TO MANAGE $500M FOR SOROS FUND MANAGEMENT 
 

Soros Fund Management has invested $500 million in a strategy run by Bill Gross at Janus Capital Group. The money will be managed through a private investment vehicle named Quantum Partners.

 
U.S. EXISTING-HOME SALES RISE IN OCTOBER 
 

Sales of previously owned homes unexpectedly increased by 1.5% last month to an annual rate of 5.26 million, the National Association of Realtors said. Economists had expected sales would tick down 0.1%.

 
 
 
 
  ======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES ======= 
 
 
The Wall Street Journal 
BUYOUT FIRMS DISCLOSE MORE FEES 
 

More than a dozen private-equity firms have revised their regulatory filings amid pressure from federal securities regulators, publicly disclosing for the first time some fees and expenses charged to public pension funds and other investing clients.

 
Ahead of the Tape 
WITH CHEAP FUEL, AMERICA'S TANK IS HALF FULL 
 

The financial windfall consumers will reap from the sharp drop in energy prices certainly seems substantial but the additional spending power hasn't found its way to the bottom line of S&P 500 companies, writes Spencer Jakab.