Business Today: Futures higher after S&P snaps slump; claims data due

		Click to View in Browser 01/8/2015 Futures higher after S&P snaps slump; claims data due NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday, putting equities on track for a second day of gains after the S&P 500 snapped a five-day losing skid and ahead of data on the labor market. U.S. jobless claims dip, point to firming labor market WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, adding to signs of a strengthening labor market. Oil holds above $51 as traders search for floor LONDON (Reuters) - Oil held above $51 a barrel on Thursday, supported by a surprise drop in U.S. inventories, as bulls and bears searched for a floor to the market's second-biggest rout. ECB warns Greek funding access hinges on keeping bailout ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek banks' access to European Central Bank funding beyond February will depend on Athens successfully completing a final bailout review and reaching a deal on a follow-up plan with its EU/IMF lenders, the ECB said on Thursday. Increased discounting eats into Family Dollar's first quarter profit (Reuters) - Family Dollar Stores Inc , the target of a heated takeover battle between two rival U.S. dollar store chains, said its quarterly net profit nearly halved due to increased discounting and higher sales of lower-margin items such as food and tobacco. American Eagle, Aeropostale raise estimates for holiday quarter (Reuters) - Teen apparel retailers American Eagle Outfitters Inc and Aeropostale Inc raised their estimates for the holiday shopping quarter as margins improved due to fewer discounts. EU lawmakers eye compromise for U.S. on benchmarks LONDON (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers look set to ease the international impact of rules to stop market benchmarks being rigged, addressing U.S. concerns that global investors could lose out. Santander to raise capital by $8.82 billion, cuts dividend MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Santander , the euro zone's largest bank by market value, said on Thursday that it would raise 7.5 billion euros ($8.82 billion) in capital through an accelerated placement, adding it was changing its dividend policy. Samsung Electronics tips first annual profit fall in three years SEOUL (Reuters) - Global smartphone leader Samsung Electronics Co Ltd on Thursday confirmed expectations for its first annual profit decline since 2011, although a pickup in the fourth quarter hinted that earnings may have stabilized in the short term. Porsche expects sales to reach 200,000 cars this year: CEO STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) - Porsche said it expects to increase sales to 200,000 cars or more this year, hitting a long-planned target three years early, after posting record deliveries in 2014. Related Video The 'smart' shirt that could save lives StanChart makes steep cuts 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