The Other Side of Life 24/7: Business Today: U.S. jobless claims fall to lowest level in 14 years

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Business Today: U.S. jobless claims fall to lowest level in 14 years

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10/16/2014

Reuters Election 2012 Daily round-up of the day's top news from the campaign trail, the White House and all the politics in between

U.S. jobless claims fall to lowest level in 14 years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell to a 14-year low last week, a positive signal for the labor market that could counter doubts over whether the economy is shifting into a higher gear.

Futures drop as selling pressure continues; data on tap

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures tumbled on Thursday, after the S&P 500 closed at its lowest in six months, amid concerns about weak global demand and its potential impact on the U.S. economy and businesses.

AbbVie board ditches planned $55 billion Shire acquisition

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. drugmaker AbbVie has pulled the plug on its plan to buy Dublin-based Shire , recommending shareholders vote against the proposed $55 billion takeover following new U.S. tax rules.

Goldman Sachs profit surges as bond trading picks up

(Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc reported a 50 percent jump in third-quarter net profit on Thursday as last month's sudden pickup in bond market activity helped to boost trading revenue.

Chrysler recalls more than 900,000 vehicles globally in two actions

DETROIT (Reuters) - Chrysler Group on Thursday announced two global recalls of more than 900,000 cars and SUVs combined for problems that could cause fires.

Exclusive: Commerzbank settlement with U.S. postponed amid probe

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Commerzbank AG's settlement with U.S. authorities over alleged sanctions violations has been postponed, possibly until the end of the year, as prosecutors seek to coordinate the resolution of a separate probe stemming from transactions at the German bank connected to the massive Olympus Corp accounting fraud, according to people familiar with the matter.

Blackstone reports 18 percent rise in third-quarter profit

(Reuters) - Blackstone Group LP , the largest publicly listed alternative asset manager, reported an 18 percent rise in third-quarter profit on Thursday, missing many analysts' expectations.

U.S. foreclosure activity falls to eight-year low

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Foreclosure activity across the United States declined last month to the lowest level since July 2006, as banks reclaimed fewer homes, according to a report released on Thursday.

Top investors, strategists take pummeling in Wall St sell-off

BOSTON (Reuters) - Some of Wall Street's biggest names are licking their wounds as October lives up to its reputation as one of the market's roughest months.

Delta Air Lines profit slumps on higher expenses

(Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc's quarterly profit slumped 74 percent as higher operating expenses did not allow the U.S. airline to take advantage of strong business and leisure travel.