Business Today: U.S. jobless claims fall, unwind prior week's increase

		Click to View in Browser 12/4/2014 U.S. jobless claims fall, unwind prior week's increase WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to Stock futures tick up ahead of ECB, data; Dow eyes 18,000 NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures ticked up on Thursday, with the Dow industrials nearing the 18,000 mark, ahead of news from the European Central Bank on whether it will further ease monetary policy. Exclusive: Tony James looks beyond Blackstone - sources NEW YORK (Reuters) - Blackstone Group LP's No. 2 executive Tony James is considering taking a role outside the world's largest alternative asset manager, including seeking a top job in a future U.S. government, according to people familiar with his thinking. ECB weighs further action as economic picture darkens FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank kept the cost of borrowing at record lows after it met on Thursday, facing renewed pressure to prevent the bloc going into reverse including a public call from Washington to act. Dollar General trims sales view, 'committed' to Family Dollar bid (Reuters) - Dollar General Corp reined in its full-year sales forecast and said it remained committed to buying Family Dollar Stores Inc , a deal that would allow it to keep its position as the No. 1 U.S. discount retailer. Airbus to deliver first A350 jetliner to Qatar Airways on Dec 13 DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar Airways will receive Airbus' newest plane, the A350 jetliner, on December 13, the Gulf carrier said in a statement on Thursday. BMW expects further sales growth in 2015 MUNICH (Reuters) - Germany's BMW expects its luxury car sales to increase in 2015, building on this year's solid expansion, even as economic growth in core European markets stalls and geopolitical risks persist. Cost cuts help Sears post smaller-than-estimated loss (Reuters) - Sears Holdings Corp reported a quarterly net loss of $548 million, less than it had estimated last month, as the struggling retailer cuts costs after years of sluggish sales. U.S. jobs, services sector data underscore economy's resilience WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. private companies added workers at a fairly brisk clip in November and the services sector grew strongly, suggesting a slowing global economy is having a limited impact on domestic activity. Best Buy to sell China business, focus on North America SHANGHAI (Reuters) - U.S. retailer Best Buy Co Inc said on Thursday it will sell its struggling China business, Five Star, to domestic real estate firm Zhejiang Jiayuan Group in order to focus on its North American operations. Related Video Cheaper Mulberry bags more sales Sony stays strong post-cyber attack Economic News Shares lifted by ECB, Chinese and Japanese stimulus hopes Bank of England keeps rates on hold at record low 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