Business Today: Futures hold losses after data

Click to View in Browser 03/22/2012 Futures hold losses after data NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures briefly extended their losses on Thursday after the latest reading on jobless claims. Jobless claims fall to new four year low WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for unemployment benefits dropped to a fresh four-year low last week, according to a government report on Thursday that offered evidence the jobs market recovery was gaining traction. Fannie, Freddie faulted for spending on conference WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal watchdog faulted Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance companies propped up with taxpayer funds, for "questionable" spending on a mortgage industry conference last year, in a report released on Thursday. China factory activity falters, markets take fright BEIJING (Reuters) - China's economic momentum slowed in March as factory activity shrank for a fifth straight month, leaving investors fretting about the risks to global growth and anticipating fresh policy support from Beijing. Analysis: U.S. job gains hint at more spending and hiring WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It's not quite Easy Street, but more money is starting to flow along Main Street. Volkswagen to add 800 workers at Tennessee plant CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG will add 800 jobs at its only U.S. plant, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to increase production of the small Passat sedan, the company said on Thursday. FedEx profit rise beats estimates (Reuters) - FedEx Corp reported higher quarterly profit that beat estimates, citing higher revenue per package and record holiday shipping, and forecast further advances in the current quarter. Top Merrill dealmaker Orcel to leave for UBS: sources (Reuters) - Bank of America Merrill Lynch's top dealmaker Andrea Orcel is leaving the bank to join rival UBS , two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Analysis: Research "sell" notes decline as conflicts persist HONG KONG (Reuters) - More than a decade after regulators moved to clean up the stock research industry at investment banks, analysts across the globe are as hesitant as ever to issue negative research on companies they believe are destined to struggle. Boeing, Airbus and Embraer team up for aviation biofuels (Reuters) - Boeing Co , Airbus and Embraer have come together to work with governments and biofuel producers to promote and speed up the availability of jet fuels that reduce carbon emissions. Related Video China's factory slowdown deepens China's soaring bank profits to cool in 2012: analyst Economic News Jobless claims fall to new four year low Home sales show strength, prices rise 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