BofA suit

Bank of America told customer-service reps to mislead homeowners who ask about loan modifications, ignored completed modifica tions and failed to credit payments, according to a lawsuit filed in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Halo effect

Microsoft reported a 51 percent jump in quarterly profit, helped by higher sales of its flagship Windows and Office software and the latest blockbuster Halo video game. Its shares rose 1.6 percent in after-hours trading.

GM payment

GM yesterday said it would repay $2.1 billion to US taxpayers and make early payments to pension and retiree health plans in advance of its IPO.

Initial claims

Initial jobless claims decreased by 21,000 to 434,000 in the week ended Oct. 23, the low est since early July.

AIA up 13%

AIA Group rose as much as 13 percent on its first day of trading in Hong Kong. Shares of AIA, the insurer sold by AIG in a $17.8 billion IPO, past HK$22 off its HK$19.68 IPO price.