Business Today: Stock futures point to higher open, crude oil falls again

		Click to View in Browser 12/2/2014 Stock futures point to higher open, crude oil falls again NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Tuesday as a pair of big M&A deals boosted market optimism and pointed to a rebound from the broad decline in the previous session, which was the S&P 500's weakest day in a month. Aviva agrees to terms of $8.8 billion Friends takeover LONDON (Reuters) - British insurer Aviva agreed terms on Tuesday for a 5.6 billion pound ($8.8 billion) all-share takeover of rival Friends Life , responding to pressures caused by pension industry reform. Oil steadies below $73 after hitting five-year lows LONDON (Reuters) - Brent crude oil steadied below $73 a barrel on Tuesday, holding onto a rally from five-year lows after oil producers failed to curb production despite a supply glut. Standard Chartered may appoint new banking advisers LONDON (Reuters) - Standard Chartered said it is considering replacing its banking advisers, UBS and JPMorgan, and has invited rival investment banks to pitch for the potentially lucrative business. Chrysler U.S. November auto sales up 20 percent, beating expectations DETROIT (Reuters) - Chrysler Group U.S. auto sales rose 20 percent in November on strong showings by its Jeep brand and Ram pickup trucks, the unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said on Tuesday. Ford cancels SKF components contract, hits South African jobs JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Some 250 jobs at a South African forging company could be cut after U.S. motor company Ford canceled a components contract with SKF , just weeks after strikes hit car parts manufacturers, a union said on Tuesday. Jaguar Land Rover agrees UK pay deal with union LONDON (Reuters) - British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover said on Tuesday it has reached a deal over pay and pensions with union representatives after revising its offer, which will now be recommended to staff to settle a dispute that had threatened industrial action. Apple heads to trial over digital music claims OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) - Apple Inc will defend against allegations that it abused a monopoly position in the digital music player market as it heads to trial in a case that could cost the company about $1 billion if it loses. Telecom Italia board unlikely to meet on Brazil before Christmas ROME (Reuters) - The board of Telecom Italia will unlikely meet before Christmas to discuss options in Brazil, its chairman said on Tuesday, as the Italian phone group is examining a possible tie-up with Brazilian telecoms operator Oi . Repsol seeks partners for $4 billion Canadian LNG export plant: sources MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish oil company Repsol is seeking partners to invest $4 billion to export natural gas from North America to Europe, which is looking to cut its dependence on supplies from Russia, two sources familiar with the matter said. Related Video Breakingviews: Excessive Aviva scepticism Estonia is world's first e-residency Economic News Fed's Yellen makes no comment on policy outlook in remarks to students Stocks shaky as oil heads lower again 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