TOKYO — Honda's net profit for the July-September quarter surged nearly 18 percent but the Japanese automaker lowered its earnings forecast for the full year today, pointing to difficulties in China and its home Japan market.

Honda Motor reported a $1.3 billion profit for the fiscal second quarter. Sales edged up 4 percent to $27.9 billion.

Like several other automakers, Honda's usually pristine image for quality is being clouded by a massive recall spanning 12 million vehicles worldwide related to faulty inflators in air bags made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp.

LONDON — Britain's Lloyds Banking Group said today it will eliminate 9,000 jobs over the next three years and shut some 200 branches in a bid to improve efficiency.The group has been partly owned by the British taxpayer since it was rescued during the financial crisis and has been under pressure to cut costs.Its executives had pledged three years ago to keep its number of branches at a consistent level despite the cuts, but Chief Executive Antonio Horta-Osorio said today that strategy has now changed.