Business Today: Retail sales point to more spending zeal by U.S. consumers

		Click to View in Browser 11/14/2014 Retail sales point to more spending zeal by U.S. consumers WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - U.S. retailers reported strong sales in October, a sign American consumers were spending with more gusto and could help keep the economy growing at a brisk pace. Futures flat ahead of retail sales, UMich data NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Friday, with the S&P on track for a fourth straight weekly advance, ahead of data on retail sales and consumer sentiment. Baker Hughes says in preliminary merger talks with rival Halliburton HOUSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Inc said on Thursday it is in preliminary merger talks with its larger rival Halliburton Co, though any potential deal would likely face antitrust concerns. IEA sees new era, no quick rebound in oil prices LONDON (Reuters) - The oil market has entered a new era with lower Chinese economic growth and booming U.S. shale output, making a return soon to high prices unlikely, the West's energy watchdog said on Friday. Stocks struggle after euro zone growth reports LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks fell back on Friday and U.S. stocks looked set to open flat after a mixed bag of euro zone growth numbers that showed France and Germany growing marginally but others like Italy still firmly in recession. EU says Starbucks' 'very low' Dutch tax deal may be illegal BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) - A tax deal the Netherlands cut with Starbucks Corp may be illegal state aid, European Union regulators said on Friday, part of a crackdown on members attracting investment by helping companies to avoid tax. AstraZeneca not only game in town for deal-hungry Pfizer LONDON (Reuters) - Pfizer appears unlikely to make a fresh bid for AstraZeneca in 12 days time, when an enforced cooling-off period ends, and the U.S. drugmaker is now weighing other less risky targets. Euro zone grows faster than expected in third quarter BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone economic growth was stronger than expected in the third quarter, preliminary data showed on Friday, as France beat market expectations and Germany steered clear of a recession. Top 10 investment bank revenues rise in third quarter: survey LONDON (Reuters) - Banks' financial trading revenues rose in the third quarter thanks to an increase in market volatility, but the rise was not enough to offset the fall seen in the first half of the year, according to a new survey on Friday. U.S. regulator says swaps rules need tweaks to preserve global market LONDON (Reuters) - New rules aimed at making derivatives markets safer and more transparent need tweaking to stop the $690 trillion global market splitting up, a top American regulator said on Friday. Related Video Breakingviews: Euro zone stuck in rut Indonesia looking attractive for tech start-up opportunities Economic News Strong dollar, weak oil helping Americans get cheaper imports Retail sales point to more spending zeal by U.S. consumers A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend