Daily Investor Briefing: U.S. retailers likely to just meet...

	Click to View in Browser 12/24/2014 U.S. retailers likely to just meet holiday sales forecasts: experts CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. consumers have not turned out in force for the final shopping days before Christmas, suggesting that traditional retailers will just meet industry sales forecasts in a season marked by deep discounts and growing encroachment from online rivals led by Amazon.com Inc . Wall St. ends flat in short session, Dow ekes out record close NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed flat in a short session on Wednesday as investors found few reasons to push major indexes to their sixth straight day of gains despite strength in biotechs and bullish labor market data. U.S. jobless claims fall to seven-week low WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, underscoring the economy's sustained strength. Oil slides, Brent tests $60 as data shows glut building NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global oil markets fell again on Wednesday in holiday-thin trade, extending more than a week of see-saw volatility as traders jousted over whether a growing supply glut had been fully priced in. Exclusive: U.S. minimum wage hikes to affect 1,400-plus Walmart stores CHICAGO (Reuters) - Minimum wage increases across the United States will prompt Wal-Mart Stores Inc to adjust base salaries at 1,434 stores, impacting about a third of its U.S. locations, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters. Ruble stable, but S&P downgrade warning weighs MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's ruble stabilised on Wednesday, as exporters selling foreign currency countered the effect of a ratings agency saying it could downgrade Russia's sovereign debt to 'junk' status as soon as next month. Japan $29 billion stimulus seeks quick boost for regional economies: draft TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan aims to give a quick boost to lagging regional economies and low-income households with subsidies, merchandise vouchers and other schemes in a $29 billion stimulus package aimed at rejuvenating a two-year reflationary effort, a draft of the plan showed. China offers fresh support for outbound investment BEIJING (Reuters) - China will simplify currency rules and step up credit support for firms investing overseas, the cabinet said on Wednesday. South Korea indicts Uber CEO, local unit for transport law breach SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea has indicted the chief executive officer and local subsidiary of Uber Technologies Inc for violating a law governing public transport, becoming the latest jurisdiction to challenge the U.S. taxi service provider. Takata says president stepping down to streamline air bag recall response TOKYO (Reuters) - Takata Corp , the auto supplier embroiled in a global safety crisis, said Wednesday its president, Stefan Stocker, would step down and its chairman would assume the role to unify the company's response to the recall of millions of vehicles carrying defective air bags. Related Video Ho hum season for retailers U.S. markets close mixed Related News U.S. credit union regulator sues Wells Fargo over crisis-era trusts U.S. court narrows mortgage lawsuit against Bank of NY Mellon 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