Business Today: U.S. jobless claims rise, but labor market still strengthening

		Click to View in Browser 12/31/2014 U.S. jobless claims rise, but labor market still strengthening WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but the trend remained consistent with sustained strength in the labor market. Stock futures point to higher open as 2014 draws to a close NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wednesday, suggesting Wall Street would end a strong year with minor gains in a seasonal trend of modest moves and low volume. Oil falls below $56, heads for biggest annual drop since 2008 LONDON (Reuters) - Oil dropped below $56 a barrel on Wednesday and was heading for its biggest annual decline since 2008, pressured by weakening demand and a supply glut prompted by the U.S. shale boom and OPEC's refusal to cut output. After 2014's party, investors in U.S. stock market may face a hangover (Reuters) - Revelers ringing in of the new year this week need to watch out for the next day's hangover. And investors may experience a similar feeling early in 2015 after a two-year run that has propelled U.S. stocks up by nearly 50 percent. Fed should heed market view of deflation risk: Minneapolis Fed chief (Reuters) - The chance of U.S. inflation falling below 1 percent in 2015 is at a five-year high, and the risk of deflation is growing more likely, an analysis of market data released by the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank showed.  U.S. opening of oil export tap widens battle for global market WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Obama administration has opened a new front in the global battle for oil market share, effectively clearing the way for the shipment of as much as a million barrels per day of ultra-light U.S. crude to the rest of the world. Anemic growth warrants easy monetary policy: IMF's Lagarde ROME (Reuters) - Accommodative monetary policy will remain necessary for as long as global growth remains weak, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said in a newspaper article published on Wednesday. Exclusive: Mexico's light crude, shunned for U.S. shale, sails east NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mexican crude oil is sailing to the U.S. East Coast at the highest rate in over a decade, according to customs data reviewed by Reuters, in a sign deepening discounts help crack open new markets as domestic shale inundates Texas. Six Chinese automakers recall over 300,000 cars: watchdog SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Six Chinese carmakers will recall more than 300,000 vehicles due to a fuel pump defect that could cause oil leaks, China's quality watchdog said on Wednesday. Public scorn greets LG and Samsung's storm in a washing drum SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's two top technology firms, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, have a history of bitter rivalry, but their latest spat over a handful of washing machines has prompted a barrage of public mockery. Related Video Euro lures Lithuania towards West Share markets 2015: bet Europe, not US? Economic News Wall St. pulls back from record; utilities slump U.S. consumer confidence rises in December 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