Stocks Head South

Wall Street took a step backwards as investors mulled over comments made by the Federal Reserve. Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners narrowly topped losers on volume of 890 million shares. Stocks initially rallied after the Fed announcement, but failed to hold gains as investors picked out troubling areas such as consumer spending. This remains a weak area mainly because of the massive amount of people currently unemployed. Investors are also concerned that the Federal Reserve might be closer to reducing a large amount of programs used to prop up the economy. Airline stocks took a hit after American Airlines (AMR) and US Airways Group (LCC) announced plans to raise cash. U.S. light crude oil for October delivery fell $2.79 to settle at $68.97 a barrel after a government report showed a big jump in weekly crude supplies . The dollar held on to gains versus the yen and euro.

Keeping You in the Loop

Here's some good news for Bank of America (BAC) customers. The company is changing its checking-account options in an effort to help customers avoid outrageous overdraft fees. Effective Oct. 19, the bank won't charge fees when a customer's account is overdrawn by less than $10 for one day. JP Morgan Chase (JPM) has also decided to follow in BofA's footsteps and alter its overdraft policies . These banks may be trying to deter Congress from taking action to regulate these fees.

Strong consumer demand for cereals and other food staples are keeping profits over at General Mills (GIS) in the green. The company reported strong results for its fiscal first-quarter and raised its full-year earnings estimates again. This company must have the right recipe for success.

Ford Motors Corp. (F) is driving into the future and not looking back. The company unveiled its brand new inexpensive compact car to be made in India. The Figo will go on sale in India beginning early next year. CEO Alan Mulally offered up another upbeat forecast , suggesting that the automaker should return to profitability by 2011.

Video -- Ford Ups Sales Estimates

The housing market may be slowly recovery, but consumers are still not interested in purchasing timeshares. As you can imagine, the last thing consumers are thinking about is vacation homes. Marriot International (MAR) is definitely feeling the heat from the declining timeshare market. So much so that the company is hitting the brakes on new residential timeshare projects and taking a $760 million charge against earnings in the third quarter.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) has decided to say adios to the Electronic Data Systems (EDS) brand, roughly a year after purchasing the company. HP Enterprise Services will be the new name of its IT service provider business.

Why Michael Dell needs to listen to HP's Mark Hurd

In a turn of events, some of Bernie Madoff's victims may actually be sued . Yes, you read that correctly. Bankruptcy trustee Irving Picard has discovered that about 50 percent of his active clients withdrew more than they invested.

Since the economy is starting to show signs of improvement, the Fed announced plans to slow its purchases of mortgage-backed securities and housing- agency bonds. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was on Capitol Hill today to discuss financial regulation and how he plans to fix Freddie Mac (FRE) and Fannie Mae (FNM).

Other Juicy Tidbits

We all know that employees are essential to the success of a business. Do happy employees really increase shareholder value?

In a dismal and stagnant job market, rosy economic indicators may seem like a rarity - even if they aren't rare at all. Here are 7 pieces of good news about the economy.

The Pinocchio Recovery -- The stock market recovery wants to be a real little boy, but it's really just a wooden toy that moves only when somebody pulls its strings.

Good News: The Reckless Consumer Is Back!