Before the Bell: Housing starts jump to near six-year high in November

	Click to View in Browser 12/18/2013 Housing starts jump to near six-year high in November WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. housing starts surged to their highest level in nearly six years in November, a sign of strength in the housing market that could give the Federal Reserve ammunition to start cutting back its bond purchases. U.S. mortgage applications fall in latest week: MBA NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for home mortgages fell last week, dropping to a multi-year low, an industry group said on Wednesday. FedEx second-quarter profit misses estimate; shares fall (Reuters) - Global shipping company FedEx Corp on Wednesday reported quarterly results that missed Wall Street estimates as revenue declined at its biggest unit, Express Delivery, sending shares down more than 1 percent. Stock futures tick up as Fed decision looms NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday with markets on tenterhooks ahead of the Federal Reserve's last policy announcement of the year, which might determine the immediate future of its 15-month long program to stimulate the economy. Fed faces tough call on bond buying as economy strengthens WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve will decide on Wednesday whether the U.S. economy is finally resilient enough to withstand less policy support, or whether it is prudent to wait a bit longer. U.S. preparing civil charges against Citigroup, Merrill Lynch: sources (Reuters) - The Justice Department is preparing to file civil fraud charges against Citigroup Inc and Bank of America's Merrill Lynch unit over their sale of flawed mortgage securities ahead of the financial crisis, according to people familiar with the probes. Boeing's Muilenburg to be named chief operating officer -source WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Dennis Muilenburg, head of Boeing's defense division, will be named chief operating officer of the overall parent company Boeing Co , a source familiar with the decision said on Wednesday, making him the "heir apparent" to the company's chief executive, Jim McNerney. Exclusive: Telefonica gets 18 months to loosen grip on Brazil market MADRID (Reuters) - Brazil's antitrust watchdog has given Telefonica 18 months to comply with a ruling to loosen its grip on the Brazilian mobile market, sources said, time which may help the Spanish group ward off a growing rebellion over its strategy. Metro hopes to move beyond row with Media-Saturn founder DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) - German retailer Metro said it can push ahead with its strategy for Europe's biggest electronics chain Media-Saturn after a court ruling in a long-running dispute with the company's founder. Al Jazeera weighs bid for stake in $1 billion Turkish pay-TV company DUBAI/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Qatari-backed broadcaster Al Jazeera is considering a bid for a majority stake in Turkish pay-TV company Digiturk to boost its soccer offering ahead of the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, banking sources familiar with the plans said on Wednesday. Related Video Breakingviews: Russia's lifeline will only fuel protests Escaping the shadow of Australia's commodities giants Global Investing Insurers wary of new Obamacare fix for January health plans Analysis: Investment risks of fast-tracking biotech drugs become apparent 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