Business Today: Wall Street climbs as China data puts S&P back at five-year high

	Click to View in Browser 01/10/2013 Wall Street climbs as China data puts S&P back at five-year high NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Thursday and the S&P 500 ended at a fresh five-year high as stronger-than-expected exports from China spurred optimism about global growth prospects. Jobless claims rise, but jobs market recovery intact WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week, the Labor Department said on Thursday, but details of the report suggested the jobs market continued to grow at a moderate pace. American Express to cut 5,400 jobs, take charges in fourth quarter (Reuters) - American Express Co said it would cut about 5,400 jobs, and take about $600 million in after-tax charges in the fourth quarter, which will halve its net income for the period. Exclusive: Private equity eyed Legg Mason but were spurned - sources NEW YORK (Reuters) - Legg Mason Inc has been approached in recent months by some of its senior managers and private equity firms with plans to take the struggling asset manager private, but the board has decided against exploring that option at least until the company has a new chief executive, three sources said. Wal-Mart CEO knew of Mexico bribe claim: lawmakers WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lawmakers increased public pressure on Wal-Mart Stores Inc on Thursday by releasing company emails they said contradicted prior statements about when senior executives knew of bribery allegations tied to its Mexican affiliate. Ford doubles dividend to highest in seven years (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co doubled its quarterly dividend on Thursday to 10 cents per share, its highest in seven years, betting it can boost earnings even as it tries to staunch losses in Europe and deal with flagging market share in the United States. Ex-Centaurus trader finds profitable swings in natgas NEW YORK (Reuters) - Prominent banks and hedge funds have fled the natural gas market due to the sharp decline in prices but Bill Perkins, a trader at the now-defunct commodity hedge fund Centaurus Energy, says there is still plenty of money to be made there. ICE would weigh Euronext sale for right offer: sources LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - IntercontinentalExchange would consider selling Euronext as an alternative to floating it if bids for the European stock market emerge during ICE's planned $8.2 billion takeover of NYSE Euronext, three sources close to the exchange said. Consumer watchdog tightens mortgage rules on banks WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government's consumer finance watchdog said on Thursday it will force banks to use new criteria to determine whether a borrower can repay a home loan, in an effort to avert the kind of loose lending that helped push the economy into recession. GM to open third U.S. tech center, hire 1,000 people DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co will open a third U.S. information technology center as part of its plan to bring that work in-house and improve the automaker's efficiency and productivity. Related Video Shares hit high note but euro doubts remain Jessops offers snapshot of retail squeeze Economic News Jobless claims rise, but jobs market recovery intact Fed's Bullard bullish on U.S. growth in 2013, 2014 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