Before the Bell: Futures point to higher open, all eyes on Fed

	Click to View in Browser 12/16/2013 Futures point to higher open, all eyes on Fed NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Monday, as large deals boosted optimism after a steep decline last week, though investors remained heavily focused on an upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting. NY factory conditions recover a tad in December: NY Fed NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York state's manufacturing sector rebounded slightly in December from its weakest level in six months while the region's business outlook stayed relatively upbeat, a report from the New York Federal Reserve released on Monday showed. Productivity rises by most in nearly four years WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. nonfarm productivity rose the most in nearly four years in the third quarter but a drop in unit labor costs underlined a lack of inflation pressure, bolstering arguments for the U.S. Federal Reserve to maintain its massive monetary stimulus. Snowstorm unlikely to hurt holiday sales: analysts (Reuters) - The snowstorm that hit the Northeast and Midwest this past weekend is unlikely to hurt overall holiday sales, analysts say, even as the shorter shopping season makes every day crucial for retailers. AIG to sell aircraft leasing business in $5.4 billion deal (Reuters) - American International Group Inc said it would sell its aircraft-leasing business to AerCap Holdings NV in a deal valued at about $5.4 billion, marking the insurer's exit from its last non-core business. Lloyds insurance market appoints its first female CEO LONDON (Reuters) - The Lloyd's of London insurance market has appointed its first ever female chief executive, to replace Richard Ward who announced he was stepping down from the role in July. Moncler's shares soar 40 percent in Milan market debut MILAN (Reuters) - Moncler shares jumped more than 40 percent on their first day of trading in Milan as investors scrambled to put their money into the maker of luxury down jackets, attracted by its strong revenue growth prospects. Renault plans SUVs to buck slowing China growth PARIS (Reuters) - Renault plans to harness its Formula One renown and alliance with Nissan to build a 3 percent market share as a latecomer to China, after signing a joint venture deal with Dongfeng Motor Group on Monday. UK regulator forced change in Standard Chartered risk role LONDON (Reuters) - Standard Chartered's recent decision to strip its finance director of responsibility for risk oversight was the result of intervention by Britain's financial regulator, two sources with knowledge of the process said on Monday. Russia eyes loan, gas deal to keep Ukraine in its orbit MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia signaled on Monday it was about to agree a loan and gas deal with Ukraine to help Kiev stave off economic chaos and keep it in its former Soviet master's orbit. Related Video Daily Digit: Moncler's shares bounce 40% Breakingviews: Germany's new govt to take chances on growth Global Investing Should you super-fund your 529 college savings plan? JPMorgan, other employers move to cover costly autism therapies 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