Reuters Money: A taper is whatever the market says it is: James Saft

	Click to View in Browser 12/19/2013 A taper is whatever the market says it is: James Saft (Reuters) - Coming months will answer decisively a question the Federal Reserve insists is already settled: is a tapering a tightening? Jobless claims rise to near nine-month high WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level in nearly nine months, casting a shadow on the labor market. Private equity 'dry powder' hits record high LONDON (Reuters) - Private equity firms are sitting on a record $1.074 trillion in unspent capital, data showed on Thursday, highlighting the tough task the industry faces in finding opportunities for all the money it has raised. Should you be running to or from munis? NEW YORK (Reuters) - I'm a contrarian. So when I see investors fleeing municipal bond mutual funds at a record pace, and when I hear that it is nothing but risk, risk, risk for munis, I start looking for that silver lining. Mega Millions winners in Georgia, California to split $648 million ATLANTA (Reuters) - A 56-year-old Georgia woman played numbers from family birth dates to win half of a near-record $648 million Mega Millions jackpot, but the buyer of a second winning ticket sold in California has yet to come forward, lottery officials said on Wednesday. SAC's Steinberg found guilty of insider trading NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Steinberg, a top portfolio manager at Steven A. Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors hedge fund, was found guilty on Wednesday on charges that he traded on insider information. Some Obamacare shoppers can pay January 10 for January 1 coverage (Reuters) - Individuals who select their health insurance plan on the exchanges set up under the national healthcare reform law by the December 23 deadline will have until January 10 to pay and still receive coverage as of January 1, 2014, the nation's largest organization of insurers said on Wednesday. Costs add up for Fido or Tabby when pet owners travel (Reuters) - Whether or not you take your pet with you on vacation, it will likely be expensive. Fidelity's new funds look to exploit index investing's weak spots BOSTON (Reuters) - Fidelity Investments, whose market share has been eroded by the stampede out of actively managed portfolios, on Wednesday launched two funds that will seek to exploit investors' desire for passive index funds. Analysis: Investment risks of fast-tracking biotech drugs become apparent (Reuters) - With biotech's bull run nearing its third year, some savvy investors believe it is time to seek safety in size. Related Video Bette Midler: Cleaning and greening New York Facial recognition brings new look to shopping Business News Wall St. dips after S&P record; claims data weighs Jobless claims rise to near nine-month high The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. 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