Business Today: S&P 500 ends flat after Fed minutes

	Click to View in Browser 01/8/2014 S&P 500 ends flat after Fed minutes NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 ended nearly flat on Wednesday as equity indexes had a muted reaction to the minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's most recent meeting, while Micron's strong results helped boost the Nasdaq. Fed wanted cautious approach to QE3 taper: minutes (Reuters) - As the U.S. Federal Reserve's top officials debated their decision to scale back a massive bond-buying stimulus program last month, they were keen to steer a delicate path and to make it clear that future decisions were not set in stone. Private sector adds more jobs than expected in December NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. private employers hired staff at the fastest pace in 13 months in December, data from a payrolls processor showed Wednesday, burnishing expectations that national jobs data due later in the week from the government will confirm the U.S. economy was gathering steam at the end of last year. Martoma cannot use testimony from SAC's Cohen at trial-judge NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former SAC Capital Advisors portfolio manager Mathew Martoma cannot introduce excerpts from a deposition of his former boss, billionaire Steven A. Cohen, in his defense against criminal insider trading charges, a Manhattan federal judge ruled. Microsoft succession speculation focuses on internal candidates SEATTLE/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Speculation over Microsoft Corp's succession plans refocused on internal choices on Wednesday, a day after the leading outside candidate, Ford Motor Co CEO Alan Mulally, took himself off the list of potential CEOs at the world's largest software maker. Macy's forecasts strong earnings, to cut 2,500 jobs (Reuters) - Department store operator Macy's Inc forecast earnings for the coming year above Wall Street estimates and announced a new cost cutting plan that will save the retailer about $100 million annually. Deep discounts fail to woo U.S. holiday shoppers (Reuters) - U.S. retailers posted their lowest holiday sales growth in four years after shoppers stayed at home despite some of the biggest discounts and promotions since the recession, retail industry tracker ShopperTrak said. Exclusive: Apollo seeks to exit fund manager Lighthouse - sources (Reuters) - Apollo Global Management LLC is looking to cash out on its investment in the owner of Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC, three years it after it backed the fund-of-hedge-funds manager, according to people familiar with the matter. Swiss court ruling outlines details of U.S. case against Baer ZURICH (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors are accusing Swiss bank Julius Baer of helping more than 400 Americans hide undeclared money from the taxman, according to a ruling made public by a Swiss court on Wednesday. Analysis: Emerging market investors face year mined with political risks LONDON (Reuters) - As the tidal wave of global central bank liquidity recedes in 2014, emerging market investors are growing more anxious about local political risks - and how to spot them early on. Related Video French retailers banking on naked desire Stem cell trial seeks longer lives for victims of deadly ALS Economic News Private sector adds more jobs than expected in December Fed wanted cautious approach to QE3 taper: minutes 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