(AFX UK Focus) 2005-10-26 20:46 GMT: Updates, advisories and surprises

(AFX UK Focus) 2005-10-26 20:46 GMT: Updates, advisories and surprises - UPDATE 17 (Interactive Investor)
S&P places Sovereign Bancorp on creditwatch 'positive' (3:02 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Wednesday placed its BBB- long-term counterparty rating on Sovereign Bancorp on credit watch with positive implications.

As Home Values Rise, Spending on Home Improvement Projects Continues to Grow (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
As home prices rise, spending on home improvement projects continues to boom. According to the latest data from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies, American homeowners continued to invest in their homes by spending approximately $262 billion on home improvements and repairs in the first half of 2005.

/C O R R E C T I O N -- Capital One Financial Corporation/ (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Area Residents Have Completed a Home Improvement Project Within the Last Two Years, issued earlier today by Capital One Financial Corporation over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that the paragraph under the "Survey Methodology" section should read as follows, rather than as originally issued inadvertently.

Lowest-Priced New Vehicles for 2006
Low price doesn't mean skimping on safety equipment anymore; some lowest-priced new cars include six standard airbags.
Ann Job

Stocks Finish Lower (BusinessWeek)
The major indexes erased early gains amid higher bond yields and some disappointing earnings outlooks

Recent Study Indicates 63 Percent of Minneapolis-Area Residents Have Completed a Home Improvement Project Within the (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
While home sales in the Minneapolis-area continue to increase, a new survey by leading financial services provider Capital One Financial suggests that some area residents are choosing to stay in their homes and renovate rather than move.

Recent Study Indicates 65 Percent of Hartford-Area Residents Have Completed a Home Improvement Project Within the Last (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
While home sales in the Hartford continue to increase, a new survey by leading financial services provider Capital One Financial suggests that some area residents are choosing to stay in their homes and renovate rather than move.

2005 Frankfurt Motor Show
MSN Autos brings you highlights from one of Europe's major shows.
Editors of MSN Autos

Top Sport Utilities on MSN Autos
The most popular sport-utility vehicles on MSN Autos, based on visits to the site's vehicle research pages during the third quarter of 2005.
compiled by MSN Autos

Hybrids Are Hot
Automakers that used to downplay the viability of gasoline-electric hybrids are now embracing them.
Ann Job