Before the Bell: Cold weather cuts into U.S. housing starts in December

	Click to View in Browser 01/17/2014 Cold weather cuts into U.S. housing starts in December WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. housing starts fell less than expected in December, pausing after recent strong gains that had propelled home building activity to multi-year highs. Legal bills hit Morgan Stanley profit (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley reported a sharp fall in quarterly profit as the Wall Street bank was hit by $1.2 billion in legal bills but adjusted earnings beat market estimates. GE profit rises, helped by oil and gas business (Reuters) - U.S. conglomerate General Electric Co posted a slightly better-than-expected rise in revenue on Friday propelled by its businesses selling oil pumps and jet engines, and said its order backlog again swelled to a record. Stock futures up after GE, Morgan Stanley results; data due NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures advanced on Friday, in the wake of earnings from Morgan Stanley and General Electric, and ahead of data on the housing market and consumer sentiment. IBM to spend $1.2 billion to expand cloud services (Reuters) - IBM Corp said it will invest more than $1.2 billion to build up to 15 new data centers across five continents to expand its cloud services and reach new clients and markets. BNY Mellon's fourth-quarter profit shows modest gain (Reuters) - BNY Mellon Corp said on Friday its fourth-quarter profit rose slightly and met Wall Street expectations as a buoyant stock market lifted investment management and performance fees. Apple China Mobile launch could spark costly subsidy war BEIJING (Reuters) - Apple Inc is finally launching its iPhone on China Mobile Ltd's vast network on Friday, opening the door to the world's largest carrier's 763 million subscribers and giving its China sales a short-term jolt. Shell warns of 'significant' profit miss LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell issued a "significant" profit warning on Friday, detailing across-the-board problems and the extent of the challenges facing the oil major's new boss Ben van Beurden, who took over two weeks ago. Analysis: Wal-Mart case seen a key test in struggle over labor rights NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A challenge by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to Wal-Mart Stores Inc's treatment of striking workers is likely to become a critical symbol of labor unions' attempts to organize the many non-union workplaces in the United States in the face of stiff resistance from management. Dreamliner maintenance delays flight in Poland WARSAW (Reuters) - A Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight operated by Polish airline LOT was delayed on Friday because regular maintenance lasted longer than expected, the airline said. Related Video Breakingviews: Shell boss has work cut out Go where the Chinese government is going: Jim Rogers Global Investing Legal bills hit Morgan Stanley profit BNY Mellon's fourth-quarter profit shows modest gain 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