The Other Side of Life 24/7: Business Today: Futures extend gains after data

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Business Today: Futures extend gains after data

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03/13/2014

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Futures extend gains after data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures added to gains after data showed weekly initial jobless claims fell to a three-month low and retail sales rose slightly more than anticipated in February.

U.S. jobless claims fall to new three-month low

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell and hit a fresh three-month low last week, suggesting a strengthening in labor market conditions.

U.S. import prices post largest gain in a year

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. import prices rose more than expected and recorded their largest gain in a year in February as petroleum soared, but there was little sign of a broad pick-up in imported inflation.

U.S. retail sales rise a bit more than expected in February

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales rose slightly more than expected in February, pointing to some strength in the economy after harsh weather abruptly slowed activity in recent months.

GM waited on Ion recall despite awareness of fatal crashes

DETROIT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - General Motors Co waited more than two weeks to expand a major recall to include the Saturn Ion and other compact cars, even though its engineers were aware of four fatalities in crashes involving the model, GM said in filings published on Wednesday.

Shell cuts American upstream spending to lower shale exposure

LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell will cut spending in its American exploration and production business by a fifth and could sell more of its shale assets, in another sign that oil majors are struggling to make profits in the booming sector.

Bankers behaving badly face 6-year bonus clawback by BoE

LONDON (Reuters) - Misbehaving bankers and their bosses will have to hand back bonuses up to six years after they pocket them under a rule the Bank of England is proposing to prevent excessive risk-taking.

Numericable improves its offer for Vivendi's SFR: sources

PARIS (Reuters) - Numericable has improved its offer for Vivendi's SFR as it seeks to trump an improved bid from rival Bouygues , said two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

J.C. Penney turnaround faces big test with home goods relaunch

(Reuters) - J.C. Penney Co Inc is about to undo the centerpiece of former Chief Executive Officer Ron Johnson's failed vision to take the retailer upmarket.

Deutsche Bank adds to fears for investment banks' Q1 performance

PARIS (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank has had a "slow" start to the year in its investment banking business, due to market uncertainty related to the crisis in Ukraine and concerns about economic growth in China and Germany, it said on Thursday.