Business

Major gauges seek direction after weak new home sales report, drop in GDP growth; Microsoft, Bear Stearns in focus.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Big banks try to gird for crises as a matter of course and investors will soon learn how prepared they were for this summer's credit crunch.

In a year of record delays, President Bush stepped forward Thursday to try to speed American air travelers to their Thanksgiving gatherings and back home on time.

Sales weaker than forecasts as lower prices can't clear out glut; pace of sales falls to levels not seen since June 2000.