SunTrust is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., with hundreds of branches in the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic states. In February 2019, SunTrust agreed to merge with Winston-Salem-based BB&T Corp. in a merger of equals. About one-third of SunTrust's branches are located in Florida. SunTrust also provides wealth and investment management products and services.

Stocks rose modestly on Thursday amid mixed earnings reports and new housing market and employment data. Investors also weighed the last-minute Brexit deal between the UK and the EU. However, the deal must still be approved by the British Parliament, which is by no means certain. On the housing front, the Commerce Department reported that U.S. housing starts fell 9.4% in September to an annualized 1.256 million, driven by a decline in the multifamily segment. The results were below the Reuters consensus forecast of 1.32 million. Building permits also fell 2.7% to an annualized 1.387 million. Meanwhile, the Labor Department said that first-time unemployment benefit claims rose by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 214,000 for the week ended October 12, slightly below the Reuters consensus forecast. The Dow rose 0.09%, the S&P 0.28%, and the Nasdaq 0.40%. Crude oil rose to about $54 per barrel, while gold rose slightly to $1495 per ounce.

SunTrust is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., with hundreds of branches in the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic states. In February 2019, SunTrust agreed to merge with Winston-Salem, NC-based BB&T Corp. in a merger of equals. About one-third of SunTrust's branches are located in Florida. SunTrust also provides wealth and investment management products and services.

Stocks recovered from early losses on Thursday afternoon after comments from New York Fed President John Williams pointed strongly to an interest rate cut at the end of the month. The advance was led by the Consumer Staples, Financial, and Technology sectors, while Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary stocks traded lower. On the employment front, the Labor Department said that first-time unemployment benefit claims rose by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 216,000 for the week ended July 13, in line with the Reuters consensus forecast. The Dow rose 0.01%, the S&P 0.36%, and the Nasdaq 0.27%. Crude oil fell 2% to about $55.50 per barrel, while gold rose $23 to $1446 per ounce.