Business Today: Stock futures ease after durable goods data

02/28/2012 Stock futures ease after durable goods data NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pared gains on Tuesday after data showed orders for long-lasting manufactured goods fell more than expected in January. Durable goods sink most in 3 years in January WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New orders for manufactured goods fell in January by the most in three years as demand fell across the board from machinery to aircraft, suggesting the economy started the year on weaker footing than expected. German court raises hurdle to euro zone bailouts KARLSRUHE, Germany (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's room for maneuver on future euro zone bailouts, in doubt after a revolt by coalition lawmakers, shrank further on Tuesday when Germany's top court raised a hurdle to swift action in financial rescues. "Big Four" auditors brace for big changes in China (Reuters) - The Big Four global audit firms, which dominate the Chinese market, are negotiating with Beijing to lessen the impact of forced changes that could mean only accountants with Chinese qualifications can be partners in their audit practices. Microsoft's next Steve: Windows boss faces biggest test SEATTLE (Reuters) - For Steven Sinofsky, the stern but creative engineering manager who runs Microsoft Corp's flagship Windows division, February 29 is showtime. Obama to sign order creating trade enforcement unit WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, following through on a promise to beef up enforcement of trade agreements, on Tuesday will sign an executive order creating a new government team to make sure China and others play by the rules, the White House said. Barclays says it alerted UK to "tax efficient" scheme LONDON (Reuters) - Barclays Plc said any retrospective change to UK tax laws would not have a material impact on its profits and said it alerted the UK government to a "tax efficient" scheme it used, sparking a government clampdown on the tax schemes. Analysis: Volkswagen parks in Honda's U.S. driveway FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn squeezes his bulky frame behind the wheel of the new Honda Civic and takes out a tape measure - part of a forensic, and very public, inspection of the five-door compact at last September's Frankfurt car show. New Panasonic chief to chase TV profit, not volume TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese electronics giant Panasonic Corp named the head of its loss-making TV business as its new president and pledged to get the TV division back on track within two years as the group heads for a record $10 billion loss. BofA $8.5 billion deal returned to NY state court (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp won a victory when a U.S. appeals court ruled that a proposed $8.5 billion settlement with investors in mortgage-backed securities should be reviewed in New York state court, not federal court. Related Video Avoid the crush, London companies prepare for the Olympics Greek default rating couldn't wait says S&P Economic News Durable goods sink most in 3 years in January Consumer debt falls in Q4 on mortgage balances 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