Business Today: Wall Street gains on GDP data; indexes post strong week

	Click to View in Browser 12/20/2013 Wall Street gains on GDP data; indexes post strong week NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Friday, capping the best week for major indexes in months as unexpectedly strong data on economic growth increased confidence that the recovery was accelerating. Yellen takes big step toward taking reins at Fed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Janet Yellen, an unwavering advocate of the Federal Reserve's aggressive steps to boost the U.S. economy, on Friday took a big step toward becoming the first woman to chair the central bank as her nomination cleared a Senate procedural hurdle. U.S. growth revised higher, economy on firmer footing WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in almost two years in the third quarter, the government said on Friday as it revised its estimates of business and consumer spending higher. AT&T to join Verizon in government data-request disclosures (Reuters) - AT&T Inc will join rival Verizon Communications in disclosing details on government requests for customer data starting in 2014, after investors called on the two largest U.S. carriers to reveal more about controversial spying operations. Insight: To flee Ohio oil boom, Amish cash out by selling royalties ST CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (Reuters) - Farmers in the close-knit Amish community who eschew electricity and most technology, are among landowners capitalizing on a new financial trend in the United States energy boom - selling decades of future oil and natural gas royalties for an immediate pile of cash. Analysis: As Fed tapers, don't count out emerging market currencies NEW YORK (Reuters) - When the Federal Reserve first started talking about cutting its massive stimulus earlier this year, emerging-market currencies went into a tailspin. This time round, investors don't see that happening. Judge denies bid to delay insider trading trial of SAC executive NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mathew Martoma, the latest employee of Steven A. Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors to face trial on insider trading charges, lost a bid on Friday to delay his trial, which is scheduled to start on January 6. Deutsche Bank to pay $1.9 billion to settle U.S. mortgage case FRANKFURT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank said on Friday it will pay $1.9 billion to settle claims that it defrauded two U.S. government-controlled companies in the sale of mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 financial crisis. BlackBerry steps back on handset business, shares jump TORONTO (Reuters) - BlackBerry Ltd said on Friday it was entering a handset production deal that lowers the risk it will have to take more massive writedowns on unsold smartphones, and its shares surged even though it posted dismal quarterly results. Pentagon, suppliers draft plan to lower F-35 cost: Pratt WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department and top suppliers on the $392 billion F-35 fighter program are developing a plan to drive down the cost of the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program, the head of enginemaker Pratt & Whitney told Reuters. Related Video EU shrugs off downgrade, eyes Ukraine Breakingviews: Newish kid on the block Economic News Yellen takes big step toward taking reins at U.S. Fed U.S. growth revised higher, economy on firmer footing 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