Before the Bell: Futures flat as investors await earnings onslaught

	Click to View in Browser 04/21/2014 Futures flat as investors await earnings onslaught NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Monday as investors found few reasons to keep buying following a strong rally last week and ahead of a heavy week of corporate earnings. U.S. insider trading cases face test at appeals court NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court is set hear a case whose outcome could make it harder for the government to prosecute insider trading and potentially jeopardize several high-profile guilty verdicts, including that of SAC Capital Advisors portfolio manager Michael Steinberg. Halliburton sees profit growth on improved margins in North America (Reuters) - Halliburton Co , the world's No.2 oilfield services company, forecast a 25 percent jump in earnings in the current quarter, helped by a recovery in margins in North America and growth in overseas markets. Hasbro's profit beats estimates on strong demand for girls' toys (Reuters) - Toymaker Hasbro Inc reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by strong demand for its toys for girls. AstraZeneca cancer pipeline seen as draw for Pfizer LONDON (Reuters) - Pfizer may come back to bid for British drug company AstraZeneca after its reported 60 billion pound ($101 billion) takeover approach was rejected, since a deal could make sense for the U.S. pharmaceuticals giant as it seeks to build up its cancer franchise. Kraft recalls 96,000 pounds of hot dogs due to undeclared allergen (Reuters) - Kraft Foods Group Inc is recalling about 96,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners because the packages may instead contain Classic Cheese Dogs made with milk, a known allergen. Spanish banks face tough rivalry in small companies bet MADRID (Reuters) - Across Spain, the message is hard to miss in office windows showcasing offers: banks want to lend to small companies again. At Mt. Gox bitcoin hub, 'geek' CEO sought both control and escape TOKYO (Reuters) - In June 2011, when customers of now-bankrupt bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox agitated for proof that the Tokyo-based firm was still solvent after a hacking attack, CEO Mark Karpeles turned to the comedy science fiction novel "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". Bank of Japan may still opt for huge JGB buys, when it acts: Suda TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is likely to hold off on expanding monetary stimulus for as long as possible but when it does act, it will take "extraordinary" steps such as buying government bonds on a massive scale, a former central bank policymaker said on Monday. Asian stocks subdued on Ukraine caution, dollar firms vs. yen TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian stock markets were subdued on Monday, as tensions in Ukraine kept investors cautious amid an absence of catalysts as several markets remained closed for the Easter holiday. Related Video Spain's new beacon of hope Big tobacco ready to light e-cigarettes Global Investing Social Security to resume benefits statement mailings Most businesses plan increase in capital investment: survey 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