Business Today: Stock futures edge lower following Fed comments

		Click to View in Browser 03/20/2014 Stock futures edge lower following Fed comments NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were lower on Thursday as investors continued to digest recent comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, who raised the specter of an earlier-than-expected rate hike. Jobless claims rise less than expected last week WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week, pointing to some underlying strength in the labor market. From dumb iron to Big Data: Caterpillar's dealer sales push (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc has a long tradition of proudly - and publicly - proclaiming how much it loves its dealers. Toyota's $1.2 billion settlement may be model for U.S. probe into GM WASHINGTON/DETROIT (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp will pay a record $1.2 billion to resolve a criminal probe into safety issues, in a deal that could serve as a template for how U.S. authorities approach a similar investigation into General Motors Co. Europe strikes deal to complete banking union BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European policymakers agreed on Thursday to complete a banking union with an agency to shut failing euro zone banks, but there will be no joint backstop for a fund to pay the costs of closures. ConAgra quarterly profit beats analysts' lowered expectations (Reuters) - ConAgra Foods Inc's quarterly profit beat analysts' lowered estimates and the maker of Hunt's tomato ketchup and Slim Jim beef jerky maintained its full-year earnings forecast. Fed may raise rates as soon as next spring, Yellen suggests WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve will probably end its massive bond-buying program this fall, and could start raising interest rates around six months later, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said on Wednesday, in a comment which sent stocks and bonds tumbling. Fed to release results of financial industry health check WASHINGTON (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and other banks will find out if the Federal Reserve thinks they can cope with the next financial crisis when it publishes the results of an annual health check on Thursday. Ex-IMF chief Strauss-Kahn-led hedge fund aims to raise $2 billion SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn plans to raise $2 billion in a macro hedge fund, his firm, LSK & Partners, said on Thursday, as investors continue to back a low-risk and rapidly growing investment strategy. Japan firms want Abe to cool it on China; see demand ebbing: Reuters poll TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese companies are concerned about Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's forceful diplomacy with neighbors like China, at a time when demand from Asia's giant appears to be ebbing, a Reuters survey showed. Related Video Sports Spread: El Clasico, times three Breakingviews: Credit Agricole upends French bank hierarchy Economic News China says plans to speed up investment, stabilize demand Fed may raise rates as soon as next spring, Yellen suggests 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