Business Today: U.S. durable goods orders surge, boosting manufacturing outlook

		Click to View in Browser 12/24/2013 U.S. durable goods orders surge, boosting manufacturing outlook WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods surged in November and a gauge of planned business spending on capital goods recorded its largest increase in nearly a year, pointing to sustained strength in the economy. Stock futures point to flat open in shortened session NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Tuesday, as investors were reluctant to make big bets ahead of the Christmas Day holiday, with equity indexes at record highs. Exclusive: Carlyle near deal to buy J&J diagnostics unit - sources NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private equity firm Carlyle Group LP is nearing an agreement to acquire Johnson & Johnson's ortho clinical diagnostics unit, four people familiar with the matter said on Monday, in a deal expected to be worth around $4 billion. U.S. mortgage applications fall as refinance hits five-year low: MBA NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages fell for a second week and hit a 13-year low as mortgage rates rose due to a bond market sell-off following the Federal Reserve's decision to pare its bond purchase stimulus in January, an industry group said on Tuesday. Target meets with state attorneys as lawsuits pile up BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Target Corp's general counsel, Timothy Baer, spoke with top state prosecutors on Monday to address their concerns about a massive data breach, as consumer lawsuits piled up against the retailer and two U.S. senators called for a federal probe. China to aim for 7.5 percent growth in 2014 as exports recover BEIJING (Reuters) - China will likely stick with this year's growth target of 7.5 percent for 2014 as top leaders balance the need to keep the economy on an even keel while pushing through necessary structural reforms, sources at top government think tanks said. Banks pay for past sins as U.S., Europe levy record fines LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. and European regulators fined banks record amounts this year, imposing penalties and settlements of more than $43 billion as authorities work more closely across borders to clean up the financial sector. Rusal launches legal action against LME warehouse rules LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The world's biggest aluminum producer Rusal has begun legal action aimed at having the London Metal Exchange (LME) overturn planned reforms to its warehousing policy, worried about further falls in the price of its metal. Russian firms at risk from U.S. Fed stimulus withdrawal: central bank MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian banks and companies may face higher money market rates or a weaker rouble due to the U.S. withdrawal of monetary stimulus, Russia's central bank warned on Tuesday, highlighting a potential risk to heavily indebted firms. Retailers blend stores, e-commerce to snag holiday stragglers NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retailers are trying new ways to win over Christmas procrastinators. Related Video Storm wreaks havoc in UK, France Breakingviews: Benchmarking the buzzwords Economic News U.S. durable goods orders surge, boosting manufacturing outlook U.S. mortgage applications fall as refinance hits five-year low: MBA 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