Reuters Money: Weak orders point to sharp slowdown in manufacturing

	Click to View in Browser 09/27/2012 Weak orders point to sharp slowdown in manufacturing WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods dropped sharply in August suggesting the main engine of economic growth was stalling, offsetting hopeful signs of an improvement in the labor market. U.S. affluent feel more in control of finances than a year ago (Reuters) - Affluent Americans feel more in control of their finances and say they are less conservative with their investments than they were a year ago, according to a bi-annual survey released on Thursday by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management. Euro zone economic outlook darkens with fall in confidence BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The outlook for Europe's economy darkened on Thursday with euro zone business confidence falling to a three-year low and a range of economic indicators across the continent pointing towards recession. AirAsia founders aim to list insurance arm of Malaysia's Tune Group KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's Tune Group, a financial services-to-discount hotel conglomerate owned by AirAsia Bhd's founders, said it plans to list its insurance arm in a move to fund the company's expansion overseas. U.S. fund managers cut equity allocation to three-month low (Reuters) - U.S. money managers cut their equity holdings to the lowest in three months in September despite a strong rally in U.S. stock markets, increasing their allocation in bonds to the highest in four, a Reuters poll found on Thursday. Mortgage applications rose as rates hit new lows: MBA NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages rose last week as interest rates dropped to record lows in the wake of the Federal Reserve's latest stimulus efforts, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday. Catalonia shows euro's weak links: James Saft (James Saft is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own) How to play it: Getting an early jump on year-end investing NEW YORK (Reuters) - The calendar may say September, but some investors are already acting like it's the end of the year. Durable goods drop worst since recession WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods in August fell by the most in 3-1/2 years, pointing to a sharp slowdown in factory activity even as a gauge of planned business spending rebounded. Jobless claims fall to two-month low last week WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week to the lowest level in two months, a hopeful sign for a labor market that has struggled to gain traction in recent months. Related Video Home stocks on shaky foundation Getting to the top of mobile wallets Business News Wall Street rises on China but U.S. data weighs Second-quarter GDP cut to 1.3 percent on drought 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