Business Today: Futures higher after Home Depot results, data on tap

		Click to View in Browser 08/19/2014 Futures higher after Home Depot results, data on tap NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures advanced modestly on Tuesday, putting the S&P 500 on track for a second straight day of gains, after solid earnings from Home Depot and ahead of data on inflation and the housing market. U.S. consumer prices rise modestly in July WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices barely rose in July as declining energy costs partially offset increases in food and rents, which could give the Federal Reserve ammunition to keep interest rates low for a while. U.S. housing starts, permits surge in July WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. housing starts and building permits rebounded strongly in July, suggesting the housing market recovery was back on track after stalling in the second half of last year. BHP unveils spin-off but disappoints with no buyback MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The world's biggest mining company, BHP Billiton BHP.AX BLT.L, announced plans to spin off businesses worth an estimated $16 billion, most of them acquired in a 2001 merger, to focus on its most profitable activities. Strong spring sales help Home Depot beat estimates (Reuters) - Home Depot Inc , the world's largest home improvement chain, reported a better-than-expected 5.8 percent rise in same-store sales as customers spent more on home repairs after a severe North American winter. Goldman to face Libya's sovereign wealth fund in court over trades LONDON (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs and Libya's sovereign wealth fund are set to meet in a London court over claims the Wall Street bank exploited a position of trust by encouraging the fund to invest more than $1 billion in trades that ended up worthless. Exclusive: Capacity to double on Iraqi Kurdistan oil pipeline - sources DUHOK Iraq/ANKARA (Reuters) - The capacity of Iraqi Kurdistan's independent oil pipeline will almost double to at least 200,000 barrels per day by the end of this month, increasing the semi-autonomous region's exports and revenue, industry sources and officials said. Heinz to tighten supplier controls in China after infant food scare SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. foodmaker H.J. Heinz Co said on Tuesday it will tighten controls over ingredients suppliers in China after it was forced to recall some infant food products from Chinese store shelves due to excess levels of lead. UK inflation falls more than expected, reduces chance of 2014 rate rise LONDON (Reuters) - British inflation eased more than expected in July and the pace of house price growth slowed in June, according to data that underscored the Bank of England's message that it is in no rush to hike interest rates. AirAsia denies report it weighing a bid for Japan's Skymark SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd dismissed a media report that it is weighing a bid for Japan's embattled Skymark Airlines Inc , saying it is focused on a budget airline it is setting up with Japanese partners. Related Video Tungsten price sparks metal mine revival Breakingviews: BHP spin-off unappealing Economic News U.S. consumer prices rise modestly in July U.S. housing starts, permits surge in July 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