Career News 24/7: Before the Bell: U.S. durable goods orders surge, boosting manufacturing outlook

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Before the Bell: U.S. durable goods orders surge, boosting manufacturing outlook

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12/24/2013

Reuters Election 2012 Daily round-up of the day's top news from the campaign trail, the White House and all the politics in between

U.S. durable goods orders surge, boosting manufacturing outlook

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods surged in November and a gauge of planned business spending on capital goods recorded its largest increase in nearly a year, pointing to sustained strength in the economy.

Stock futures point to flat open in shortened session

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Tuesday, as investors were reluctant to make big bets ahead of the Christmas Day holiday, with equity indexes at record highs.

Exclusive: Carlyle near deal to buy J&J diagnostics unit - sources

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private equity firm Carlyle Group LP is nearing an agreement to acquire Johnson & Johnson's ortho clinical diagnostics unit, four people familiar with the matter said on Monday, in a deal expected to be worth around $4 billion.

U.S. mortgage applications fall as refinance hits five-year low: MBA

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages fell for a second week and hit a 13-year low as mortgage rates rose due to a bond market sell-off following the Federal Reserve's decision to pare its bond purchase stimulus in January, an industry group said on Tuesday.

Target meets with state attorneys as lawsuits pile up

BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Target Corp's general counsel, Timothy Baer, spoke with top state prosecutors on Monday to address their concerns about a massive data breach, as consumer lawsuits piled up against the retailer and two U.S. senators called for a federal probe.

China to aim for 7.5 percent growth in 2014 as exports recover

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will likely stick with this year's growth target of 7.5 percent for 2014 as top leaders balance the need to keep the economy on an even keel while pushing through necessary structural reforms, sources at top government think tanks said.

Banks pay for past sins as U.S., Europe levy record fines

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. and European regulators fined banks record amounts this year, imposing penalties and settlements of more than $43 billion as authorities work more closely across borders to clean up the financial sector.

Rusal launches legal action against LME warehouse rules

LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The world's biggest aluminum producer Rusal has begun legal action aimed at having the London Metal Exchange (LME) overturn planned reforms to its warehousing policy, worried about further falls in the price of its metal.

Russian firms at risk from U.S. Fed stimulus withdrawal: central bank

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian banks and companies may face higher money market rates or a weaker rouble due to the U.S. withdrawal of monetary stimulus, Russia's central bank warned on Tuesday, highlighting a potential risk to heavily indebted firms.