Today's Headlines

Bloomberg:

• Skeptics Question Abe Election Elation as Topix Hits Decade High. As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling party heads for what polls suggest will be its best national election result in more than three decades, Japan’s stock market has surged to heights not seen since before the financial crisis. Some investors and analysts are asking whether the optimism is overdone. Jonathan Allum, a strategist at SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Ltd. in London, says he’s puzzled by the bullish view that a resounding Abe victory will revamp the premier’s program to revive the economy. In his opinion, nothing substantial will have changed: Abe will have the same ability to pursue his policy agenda as he had before the vote.
• Iran Official Backs Extension of OPEC Cuts, Dismisses Trump Risk. (video)
• Here Are Key Takeaways From Wall Street's Third-Quarter Earnings. (video)

Wall Street Journal:

• George Soros Transfers $18 Billion to His Foundation, Creating an Instant Giant. The pioneer of hedge-fund investing has transferred the bulk of his wealth to Open Society Foundations.
• U.S.-Backed Forces Say They Have Taken Raqqa, Islamic State’s Last Urban Stronghold. Syrian Democratic Forces say four-month battle for de facto capital is over.
• Xi Jinping’s Power Plays Set the Stage for a Long Encore. China’s president is likely to emerge from a Communist Party congress with enhanced powers—but will he step down in 2022?
• Morgan Stanley’s(MS) Earnings Rise on Strength in Wealth Management. The bank’s return on equity stood at 9.6% in the quarter, versus a year-end target for a minimum of 9%.
• UnitedHealth(UNH) Revenue Grows Despite ACA Exit. Health insurer expands in employer insurance programs and delivery of care.
• British Intelligence Chief Notes Quickening Pace of Terror Threats. The U.K. is seeing more plots coming at a faster tempo, says MI5 head Andrew Parker.

Fox News:

• Report: Russians used bribes, sought to pad Clinton charity amid Obama-era push to expand US nuclear footprint.
• ESPN's Sam Ponder calls out sexist history of network's new partner, Barstool Sports.

CNBC:

• Dow hits 23,000 for the first time. (video)
• Senators have 'short-term plan' to stabilize Obamacare markets, as Trump's decision to kill crucial subsidies is raising health insurance rates.
• Europe markets close lower; Airbus shares rise; Merlin tumbles 15%.

Zero Hedge:

• FBI Uncovered Russian Bribery Plot Before Obama Approved Uranium One Deal, Netting Clintons Millions.
• Marc Faber Racist Diatribe Costs Him CNBC, Fox Slots; Sprott Board Seat.
• Trump Expected To Announce His Pick For Fed Chair In Next Two Weeks.
• Iraqi Kurd Army Agrees To Return To 2003 Border, Oil Slides.
• Is The Aramco IPO On The Brink Of Collapse?
• Mexico, Canada Said To "Firmly Reject" US NAFTA Proposals.
• US Industrial Production Data Dashes 'Survey-Driven' Hopes Of Manufacturing Renaissance. (graph)
• NYT Editor Slams Pence As "F**king Horrible", Admits Reporters Tried To Sway Voters Against Trump.
• Import & Export Prices Jump As Fuel Costs Spike. (graph)

TheStreet.com:

• Study: Atlanta notched second-highest boom rate among big-city economies. IT sector dominated 2016 growth in Atlanta, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis. A good sign for fetching Amazon(AMZN)?