Business Today: U.S. jobless claims rise; continuing claims lowest since 2007

		Click to View in Browser 09/4/2014 U.S. jobless claims rise; continuing claims lowest since 2007 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose a bit more than expected last week, but remained at levels consistent with tightening labor market conditions.Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 302,000 for the week ended Aug. 30, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were unrevised. U.S. trade deficit smallest in six months on rising exports WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in July to its lowest point in six months as exports rose to a record high, supporting views of sturdy economic growth in the third quarter. U.S. labor costs fall in second quarter; productivity revised down WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. labor costs were far more weaker than previously thought in the second quarter, a government report showed on Thursday, which could give the Federal Reserve ammunition to maintain its accommodative monetary policy stance for a while. U.S. private sector adds 204,000 jobs in August: ADP NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. companies hired 204,000 workers in August, below what analysts had projected as well as the level set in July, a report by a payrolls processor released on Thursday showed. ECB cuts rates to ward off euro zone deflation threat FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank cut interest rates to new record lows on Thursday, unexpectedly lowering borrowing costs to try to lift inflation from rock-bottom levels and support the stagnating euro zone economy. Futures higher ahead of ECB, flurry of data NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were higher on Thursday, ahead of a European Central Bank policy meeting and a flurry of economic data, including two reports on the U.S. labor market. Manulife to buy Standard Life's Canadian assets for $3.7 billion TORONTO (Reuters) - Manulife Financial Corp MFC.TO and Britain's Standard Life SL.L have agreed a near-$4 billion deal for the Canadian operations of the British insurer as part of a broader global tie-up. Goldman Sachs plans sukuk issue as Islamic finance goes mainstream DUBAI/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs is reviving plans to issue at least $500 million worth of Islamic bonds, a sign that Islamic finance is going mainstream as big conventional banks seek to tap Middle Eastern money. Exclusive: ECB debating ABS, covered bond purchase plan (Reuters) - Plans to launch an asset-backed securities (ABS) and covered bond purchase programme worth up to 500 billion euros are on the table at Thursday's European Central Bank policy meeting, people familiar with the discussions say. Airbus wins 1,001 gross plane orders in Jan-Aug PARIS (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus said on Thursday that it won 1,001 gross plane orders in the first eight months of the year. Related Video Breakingviews: Zalando's chic float Breakingviews: Chinese shoppers start putting it on plastic Economic News U.S. trade deficit smallest in six months on rising exports U.S. private sector adds 204,000 jobs in August: ADP 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