Before the Bell: Futures little changed; home sales data on tap

	Click to View in Browser 12/30/2013 Futures little changed; home sales data on tap NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Monday, in the wake of the best two-week advance for the S&P 500 in five months, and ahead of data on the housing market. SEC pushes US insurers for details on 'captives': WSJ (Reuters) - The U.S. securities regulator has asked life insurers to disclose the potential cost of forcibly winding down in-house insurance units known as 'captives,' whose business model has come under regulatory radar, the Wall Street Journal reported. Crocs to receive $200 million from Blackstone, CEO to retire NEW YORK (Reuters) - Crocs Inc said Blackstone Group LP is making a $200 million investment that will give the private equity firm a 13 percent stake in the shoe company. Cooper Tire terminates $2.5 billion sale to India's Apollo MUMBAI (Reuters) - U.S.-based Cooper Tire & Rubber Co said on Monday it was terminating a proposed $2.5 billion sale to Apollo Tyres Ltd , marking the end of an agreement plagued by obstacles from the start. World shares end bumper year, Japan sees best gains since 1972 LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks were putting the finishing touches to a bumper year on Monday, steady at a six-year peak as rising benchmark bond yields and commodity prices underscored expectations of firmer global growth in 2014. Chile economy slowing mildly, even as consumption, jobs remain firm SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's economy showed signs it was continuing to slow mildly in November, with manufacturing output slipping for the fourth month straight, even as consumption and the labor market remained firm. Swatch fire seen affecting other watchmakers ZURICH (Reuters) - A fire that destroyed a workshop at a Swatch Group factory could delay production of some components for several weeks and will affect other watchmakers it supplies more than the Swiss firm itself, its chief executive said on Monday, Nokia Solutions chairman to step down after Microsoft deal HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia said the chairman of its networking equipment unit, Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN), will step down following the sale of the Finnish company's mobile phone business to Microsoft. Low interest rates cannot continue for ever: German FinMin BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told a newspaper on Monday that low interest rate policies adopted by central banks around the world could not continue for ever. Monte Paschi shares volatile after cash call delay MILAN (Reuters) - Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena shares were volatile on Monday after an unprecedented clash between its top executives and main investor delayed a vital cash call at Italy's third-biggest bank. Related Video Cracks show at world's oldest bank The town with two currencies Global Investing Swiss banks Lombard Odier and VP Bank sign up to U.S. tax deal U.S. shops use prices, pick-ups to snare holiday stragglers 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