Before the Bell: Shares sluggish, semblance of calm returns to China markets

	Click to View in Browser 02/26/2014 Shares sluggish, semblance of calm returns to China markets LONDON (Reuters) - World shares struggled to stay above water on Wednesday as concerns over opaque policy moves in China kept investors on edge amid a scarcity of major economic data. Beyond Mt. Gox, bitcoin believers keep the faith, see more robust system SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The apparent collapse of Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox isn't bothering Anthony Hope and others who have ditched steady careers in government and finance to build bitcoin companies - and who stand to lose money they have in Mt. Gox. Target warns data breach could hurt future profit NEW YORK (Reuters) - Target Corp's net profit almost halved in the holiday quarter as the third-largest U.S. retailer dealt with the fallout of a massive data breach and warned that costs related to the event could hurt future profits. China's yuan might ultimately challenge dollar: ECB's Mersch LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - China's yuan currency is gaining importance in international trade and investment and might ultimately challenge the U.S. dollar, European Central Bank Executive Board member Yves Mersch said on Wednesday. U.S. mortgage applications slip in latest week: MBA NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages fell, including both new purchases and refinancings, in the latest week, an industry group said on Wednesday. Lowe's posts strong sales growth (Reuters) - Lowe's Cos Inc reported strong sales growth in the fourth quarter, showing that the No. 2 U.S. home improvement retailer was closing in on market leader Home Depot Inc. Discount stores flourish as recession habits persist BERLIN/LONDON (Reuters) - Mid-market retailers face pressure to compete on both price and quality as they battle an expansion of discount chains that is powering ahead as recession-era shopping habits become entrenched in post-crisis Europe. Credit Suisse CEO fights back on tax evasion claims ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse's chief executive will hit back at allegations the Swiss bank was a willing accomplice in U.S. tax evasion on Wednesday, blaming instead a small group of its private bankers for helping Americans conceal their wealth. GE to pay $1.7 billion to Japan's Shinsei to end refund obligations (Reuters) - General Electric Co said it would pay $1.7 billion to Japan's Shinsei Bank Ltd to end exposure to interest repayment claims related to the sale of its Japanese consumer loan business to the bank in 2008. Exclusive: Chesapeake, Encana near settlements on Michigan collusion probe NEW YORK/HOUSTON (Reuters) - Encana Corp and Chesapeake Energy Corp are negotiating civil settlements with the state of Michigan to try to end its criminal investigation into whether the energy companies colluded to keep oil and gas lease prices artificially low in the state. Related Video Breakingviews: AB InBev deserves premium-strength rating Beijing walkabout burnishes Chinese leader's populist image Global Investing Medicare cost shifting: The next big worry for seniors Credit Suisse to boost assets of Japan private banking business 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