Business Today: Stock futures trim gains after housing data

Click to View in Browser 04/17/2012 Stock futures trim gains after housing data NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures briefly trimmed gains on Tuesday after construction starts on homes fell unexpectedly in March, but a drop in borrowing costs for Spain helped eased concerns about the European debt crisis. Goldman profit tops estimates; raises dividend (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings thanks to aggressive cost-cutting and strong investment banking and trading revenues, and the Wall Street bank raised its dividend. March housing starts fall, new permits surge WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Groundbreaking on homes fell unexpectedly in March, but permits for future construction rose to their highest level in 3 1/2 years, Commerce Department data showed on Tuesday. Coca-Cola profit beats as volume grows (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co reported higher-than-expected quarterly results on Tuesday after the world's largest soft drink maker raised some prices and sold more beverages. Johnson & Johnson quarterly profit beats forecast, but sales lag (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings but global company revenue fell slightly on anemic sales of medical devices and consumer medicines -- businesses that have been hit by costly recalls in the past two years. Japan vows $60 billion to boost IMF firepower TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan said on Tuesday it will provide $60 billion in loans to the International Monetary Fund, becoming the first non-European nation to commit money to boost the fund's financial firepower to contain the euro zone debt crisis. Argentina moves to seize control of Repsol's YPF BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine President Cristina Fernandez unveiled plans on Monday to seize control of leading energy company YPF, drawing swift warnings from key trade partners and risking the country's further economic isolation. IBM may raise full-year software demand forecast (Reuters) - IBM Corp reports earnings after the bell on Tuesday and investors are hoping strong software demand will make for a repeat of last year's first-quarter performance, when the company raised its full year forecast. Fed tries to steer clear of controversial bond buys WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve is independent but it does not exist in a vacuum, as waning appetite at the central bank for contentious bond purchases suggests. China FDI signals overseas uptick, policy seen steady BEIJING (Reuters) - China bagged foreign direct investment at a record-setting pace in the first three months of 2012, but an easing in its monthly momentum and a difficult trade outlook will keep monetary policy poised to compensate for any dip in capital inflows. Related Video Exclusive: China's Bo Xilai flirted with turning wife in Breakingviews: Portugal not Greek yet Economic News Retail sales strength eases growth worries March housing starts fall, new permits surge 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