The Other Side of Life 24/7: Business Today: U.S. jobless claims fall from seven-month high

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Business Today: U.S. jobless claims fall from seven-month high

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01/22/2015

Reuters Election 2012 Daily round-up of the day's top news from the campaign trail, the White House and all the politics in between

U.S. jobless claims fall from seven-month high

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week from a seven-month high, pointing to continued improvement in labor market conditions.

Futures climb as investors await ECB, data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures gained slightly as investors awaited confirmation that the European Central Bank would announce new economic stimulus measures at a meeting on Thursday.

ECB agrees landmark sovereign bond-buy plan

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank agreed on Thursday to embark on a quantitative easing (QE) programme that will see it print money to buy up 60 billion euros worth of sovereign bonds from March until the end of September next year.

United Airlines fourth quarter profit falls short of expectations

(Reuters) - United Continental Holdings Inc said on Thursday that its profit was $28 million last quarter, falling short of analysts' estimates.

Verizon revenue rises as retail postpaid subscribers increase

(Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc's quarterly revenue rose 6.8 percent due to an increase in subscribers who pay for services after use, and a rise in average revenue per account as users added more devices to shared data plans.

Oil prices rise above $50 ahead of expected ECB move

LONDON (Reuters) - Brent crude oil crept above $50 a barrel on Thursday ahead of an expected decision by the European Central Bank (ECB) to start buying bonds, a move that could push the dollar to new highs and put downward pressure on commodities.

Hyundai Motor's biggest-ever dividend greeted with outlook concern

SEOUL (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co announced its biggest-ever dividend on Thursday to appease shareholders angered by a $10 billion property buy, but the payout failed to distract investors from growth prospects clouded by declines in the rouble and yen.

EBay's breakup plans may open door for e-commerce M&A

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - EBay Inc's plans to break up into three different companies could accommodate would-be suitors, signaling a potential merger fight after the breakup.

At least six U.S. states expect to miss revenue targets: report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Most U.S. states expect to hit their revenue targets this fiscal year, but at least six states say they could fall short, the National Conference of State Legislatures said on Wednesday.

ECB to decide on bond-buying plan after holding rates

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank kept the cost of borrowing unchanged on Thursday and remains poised to announce a plan to buy government bonds with new money, its last gambit for breathing life into a euro zone economy.