AP - European and U.S. stock markets rose modestly Wednesday after solid earnings from U.S. bank Morgan Stanley. The euro, meanwhile, broke above $1.50 for the first time in over a year as the dollar extended its retreat.

Reuters - Wells Fargo & Co said shareholder profit rose 60 percent in the third quarter as mortgage banking revenue surged.

Reuters - Softer-than-expected U.S. housing starts last month and a drop in prices paid at the farm and factory gate pointed to an anemic economic recovery, backing views that interest rates could stay low for a while.

AP - The student lender best known as Sallie Mae posted a third-quarter profit that beat Wall Street expectations as credit markets improved and student loan activity increased.

Reuters - Stocks retreated from 12-month highs on Tuesday as disappointing housing and inflation data prompted investors to book recent gains despite strong results from bellwethers including Apple and Caterpillar.

AP - Among the earnings stories for Tuesday, Oct. 20, from AP Financial News:

AP - A disappointing report on housing starts made investors nervous about the economy Tuesday and sent stocks lower even as profits at many companies exceed expectations.

AP - A disappointing report on housing starts made investors nervous about the economy Tuesday and sent stocks lower even as profits at many companies exceed expectations. Stocks retreated from 2009 highs after the Commerce Department said applications for home building permits fell in September by the largest amount in five months. That is a discouraging signal for future construction.

AP - Housing construction is crawling out of its very deep hole, but no one expects it to reach the heights hit before the housing bubble burst — at least not for a very long time.

Reuters - Softer-than-expected U.S. housing starts last month and a drop in prices paid at the farm and factory gate pointed to an anemic economic recovery, backing views that interest rates could stay low for a while.