Before the Bell: U.S. jobless claims fall for second straight week

	Click to View in Browser 01/2/2014 U.S. jobless claims fall for second straight week WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell for a second week last week, suggesting labor market conditions continue to steadily improve. Fiat shares jump on Chrysler merger deal but worries remain MILAN (Reuters) - Fiat shares jumped on Thursday after it struck a $4.35 billion deal to gain full control of Chrysler Group LLC, but doubts remained over whether the Italian carmaker can use the merger to cut losses in Europe. Futures dip with initial claims, manufacturing data due NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures dipped on Thursday, after the S&P 500 wrapped up its best year since 1997 and ahead of data on manufacturing and the labor market. Martha Stewart settles legal dispute with Macy's (Reuters) - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc said it had settled a legal dispute with retailer Macy's Inc over exclusive rights to its home products. World manufacturing ends 2013 on a strong note LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) - Global manufacturing ended 2013 on a strong note as major exporters like Japan, Germany and Italy posted their fastest growth in years, although China's performance remained modest, surveys showed on Thursday. Wal-Mart recalls donkey product in China after fox meat scandal SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest retailer, has recalled donkey meat sold at some outlets in China after tests showed the product contained the DNA of other animals, the U.S. company said. Asia's manufacturers buoyant at end 2013, China a question mark BEIJING/SEOUL (Reuters) - Asia's manufacturing sector ended 2013 on a strong note, with expansion hitting multi-year highs in export-driven Japan and Taiwan, but signs of moderation in China raises concerns about the outlook for the new year. Euro zone factories end 2013 on a high, but France a worry: PMIs LONDON (Reuters) - Euro zone manufacturing grew at the fastest rate since mid-2011 in December on brisk business in Germany and Italy, setting the stage for a solid start to the year after a tumultuous 2013, a survey showed on Thursday. Hyundai, Kia face fading growth as currency tides buoy Japan rivals SEOUL (Reuters) - The man who led South Korea's auto industry on a tear through the last decade said Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp expect what will be their lowest annual sales growth since 2003 as the weak yen fires up Japanese rivals. Slow start to 2014 for shares, China disappoints LONDON (Reuters) - World share markets made a soft start to 2014 on Thursday in the wake of disappointing data on Chinese manufacturing, while investors showed renewed appetite for commodities and the dollar as the new year got underway. Related Video Breakingviews: Chrysler turbo boost for Fiat Reuters Today: 2014 - the year of the dollar? Global Investing U.S. jobless claims fall for second straight week Cohen's SAC ends life as hedge fund with double-digit returns 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