GM's 3Q earnings due out Monday

General Motors Co . will report its third-quarter results at 7 a.m. Monday, giving the public its first peek at the automaker's finances since it emerged from bankruptcy court July 10 with about $50 billion in federal aid.

The quarterly report will be released although GM is not a public company.

There have been glimpses into GM's financial health in recent weeks. Last week, the automaker said it had spent $6.5 billion paying off obligations related to supplier Delphi Corp.'s exit from bankruptcy, funding pension plans and buying shares in a Canadian subsidiary. And in a regulatory filing, GM disclosed it had $16.4 billion in unused government loans after it emerged from bankruptcy last summer.

Gold sets new high, up 26% year-to-date

The price of gold surged to a fresh high Wednesday. Gold futures for December delivery jumped to as high as $1,119.10 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange in morning trading, then slipped back to $1,114.20, up $11.70 from Tuesday's close.

Investors use gold as a hedge against the falling dollar. Gold prices are up 26 percent year-to-date. That compares with a 5.5 percent increase in the gold price in 2008.

Cherry to plug Mich. water in the Mideast

Lt. Gov. John Cherry is heading to the Mideast to lure businesses with Michigan's abundant water. Cherry, a candidate for governor next year, is leaving Saturday and will return Nov. 23. He'll spend most of the trip in Israel, speaking to businesses in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He'll also stop in Dubai.

Panera Bread delays new store in Orion

The grand opening of Panera Bread in Orion Township has been delayed until Nov. 20. The restaurant was expected to open Monday. The new restaurant will be located in the Baldwin Commons Shopping Center at 4804 S. Baldwin Road.

The first 250 customers will receive a complimentary travel mug, a "free coffee for a month" refill card and coupons for free coffee.

Staff and wire reports.