Business Today: U.S. jobless claims point to firmer labor market

		Click to View in Browser 12/18/2014 U.S. jobless claims point to firmer labor market WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting the labor market continued to strengthen. Stock futures climb as oil rebounds; data on tap NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures surged on Thursday, putting the S&P 500 on track to extend gains from the prior session, as oil prices showed hints of stabilizing and ahead of data on the labor market. Oil jumps 3 percent to $63 as energy firms slash investments LONDON (Reuters) - Brent crude jumped 3 percent to near $63 a barrel on Thursday, extending a rebound from five-year lows this week as oil's six-month price rout forced more energy firms to cut investments in new production. Fed confident on U.S. growth, opens door wider to rate hike WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday offered a strong signal that it was on track to raise interest rates sometime next year, altering a pledge to keep rates near zero for a "considerable time" in a show of confidence in the U.S. economy. Russian ruble weakens as traders see no major measures in Putin speech MOSCOW (Reuters) - The ruble weakened against the dollar and euro on Thursday with traders saying President Vladimir Putin had so far offered no concrete measures to pull Russia out of a crisis at his end-of-year news conference. GM suspends delivery of cars to Russian dealers HAMBURG (Reuters) - General Motors has suspended the delivery of cars to dealerships in Russia in response to a slide in the rouble, the company said on Thursday. Credit Suisse says no plans to levy negative rates on savings accounts ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse said on Thursday it currently has no plans to levy negative interest rates on savings accounts, after Switzerland's central bank said it would introduce negative rates on big commercial bank deposits. Jaguar recalls 1,571 sedans in U.S. for possible braking issue DETROIT (Reuters) - Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 1,571 Jaguar XJ luxury sedans in the United States for a possible braking issue, according to documents posted by U.S. safety regulators. Deutsche Bank to review strategy and may sell Postbank network FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank AG will review its strategy and profit targets next year and may sell its Postbank-branded retail unit, in a major reversal as a hoped-for turnaround in profitability slips out of reach. Ford shuts doors of Belgium's Genk plant GENK, Belgium (Reuters) - Ford Motor Company produced the last car at its plant in Genk, Belgium, on Thursday, closing the site which produced some 14 million vehicles over the past 50 years. Related Video China's house prices fall again Stocks rally after Fed switches "considerable time" to "patience" in reference to rates hike Economic News U.S. jobless claims point to firmer labor market Franc drops as Swiss announce negative rates; stocks jump after Fed 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