News Highlights: Top Equities Stories Of The Day

=GM DECISION TO KEEP OPEL DOESN'T SURPRISE MAGNA; GERMANY FUMES The board of General Motors Co. may have succeeded in upsetting just about every constituent in the often-tortuous effort to sell Opel/Vauxhall, with the possible exception of jilted partner Magna International Inc. . (published 0016 GMT) =2ND UPDATE:KRAFT PFT BEATS OUTLOOK; SHARES DOWN ON SALES VIEW Facing a deadline to make a formal offer for confectioner Cadbury PLC and under pressure to demonstrate the strength of its own business, Kraft Foods Inc. reported a better-than-expected profit in the third quarter but lowered its outlook for sales growth this year. (published 0044 GMT) =2ND UPDATE: WESTPAC CALLS TOP OF BAD DEBT CYCLE AS PROFIT FALLS Westpac Banking Corp. said Wednesday that its full year earnings were lower on year, weighed down by rising bad debts and other one-time items, but the group expects that bad debts may be at their peak. (published 2343 GMT) =UPDATE: COCA-COLA AMATIL KEEPS 2H GROWTH GUIDANCE, 3Q SOLID Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. Wednesday maintained its earnings guidance for high single-digit net profit growth in the second half as revenue and volume growth continued into the third quarter. (published 2312 GMT) QUICKSTEP SHARES SOAR ON POSSIBLE STRIKE FIGHTER CONTRACTS Shares in high-tech manufacturer Quickstep Holdings Ltd. jumped as much as 70% Wednesday after the firm said it has signed an agreement that could see it win more than A$700 million worth of long-term contracts to supply components for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (published 0017 GMT) PANAUST POSTS RECORD COPPER OUTPUT, ON TRACK FOR GUIDANCE PanAust Ltd. said Wednesday it hit a monthly record for copper production at its mine in Laos and is on track to meet guidance for full year output of 53,000 metric tons of copper in concentrate. (published 2357 GMT) SUNING APPLIANCE TRADE HALTED ON REGULATOR REVIEW OF PLACEMENT PLAN Consumer electronics retailer Suning Appliance Co. said its shares will be suspended from trading on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Wednesday while the securities regulator reviews its private placement plan. (published 2357 GMT) =INTERVIEW:DAIDO LIFE TO STAY CAUTIOUS AS ECONOMIC GLOOM CONTINUES Daido Life Insurance Co. plans to boost its holdings of yen-denominated bonds in the fiscal second half started Oct. 1 and intends to keep its cautious stance against buying riskier assets as the current malaise in the global economy shows no signs of stopping. (published 0036 GMT)