Stocks End Higher ahead of Fed Meeting

U.S. stocks Ended higher on Monday, as upbeat economic data and large deals boosted optimism ahead
of a key Federal Reserve decision later in the week. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 129.21
points or 0.82 percent, to 15,884.57, the S&P 500 gained 11.22 points or 0.63 percent, to 1,786.54
and the Nasdaq Composite added 28.54 points or 0.71 percent, to 4,029.52.

American manufacturing output rose 0.6 percent in November, a fourth straight gain, as production
increased almost across the board, the latest sign the U.S. economy is gaining steam.

Comcast Corp is examining three scenarios for a potential deal with Time Warner Cable, including a
full takeover bid for the second-largest cable operator, people close to the situation said on
Monday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency on Monday detailed a plan to reduce the size of home mortgages
that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could purchase. Under the proposal issued for public comment, the
FHFA would cut by 4 percent, to $400,000 from $417,000 the loan purchase limit for conforming
loans in most markets, including the Chicago area.

Outgoing General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said Monday the automaker is ready to move
on, now that it’s free from government ownership. But he said the company has far more work to do.

Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) said Monday its auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP had completed new audits
for the fiscal years ended Dec. 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 with “no material changes.”