Stocks are pointed cautiously higher ahead of the bell, with the major market indexes attempting to recover from last week's heavy losses. However, bond markets and banks are closed for Veterans Day, and equity markets may see light volume as a result. Elsewhere, here are some stocks making news today:

• Earnings news: Housing sector peers Beazer Homes (NYSE:BZH) and D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI) both reported fiscal fourth-quarter results this morning. While Beazer swung to a wider loss, DHI's net income nearly tripled. BZH shares are flat ahead of the bell, and DHI is up about 3.4%. (MarketWatch)


• It was a trying weekend for Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) users in China, as Internet denizens on the mainland started to experience persistent service disruptions last Friday. Google says its own equipment appears to be working properly; meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology declined to comment on the matter. (The Wall Street Journal)


• Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and HTC Corp. have settled a patent infringement lawsuit, which had been moving through the courts since Apple initiated the claim in 2010. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Last year, the U.S. International Trade Commission said HTC had infringed upon an iPhone-related patent and levied a sales ban on certain HTC devices. (CNBC)


• Despite its strategy to end traditional sales, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) is still planning to offer Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. The retailer has also launched a holiday promotion offering prizes through small "circular buttons." (USA Today)


• Embattled smartphone producer Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) said it will unveil the first of two new BlackBerry 10 smartphones on Jan. 30. However, RIMM has yet to set an official launch date for the gadgets. (Bloomberg Businessweek)


• It's set to be a lucrative holiday season for Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE:LGF), as die-hard Twilight fans are already camping out in front of L.A.'s Staples Center in anticipation of tonight's Breaking Dawn - Part 2 premiere. The film opens worldwide this Friday, Nov. 16. (Digital Spy)