Business Today: Stock futures drop after S&P nears record high

Click to View in Browser 03/20/2012 Stock futures drop after S&P nears record high NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures fell on Tuesday ahead of housing market data after the S&P 500 advanced for a third straight session, moving within 10 percent of its historic closing high. Housing starts dip; permits near 3-1/2 year high WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Housing starts fell in February, but permits for future construction jumped to their highest level since October 2008, according to a government report on Tuesday that showed steady improvement in the housing market. Amazon.com to buy Kiva Systems for $775 million (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc said on Monday it agreed to buy Kiva Systems Inc for $775 million in cash, a deal that will bring more robotic technology to the e-commerce company's giant network of warehouses. World focus shifting from value of China yuan: OECD BEIJING (Reuters) - Critics of China's foreign exchange regime have shifted their focus from the value of the yuan to the mechanism in which its day-to-day level is set, the head of the OECD said on Tuesday, a fresh sign that currency may be near its equilibrium level. Greece receives first tranche of new bailout aid ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece has received the first 7.5 billion euros of aid from its new EU/IMF bailout, with the bulk of the payment going to repay bonds held by the euro zone's central banks, government officials said on Tuesday. Analysis: Swiss banks still draw rich despite secrecy blows ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss bankers are on the defensive with their secretive industry under sustained attack for sheltering tax dodgers. Some cannot travel abroad for fear of arrest in tax investigations. Exclusive: India to urge airlines to opt out of EU carbon scheme NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India will urge its airlines not to take part in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a senior official said, the latest salvo in an escalating row over an EU law requiring all flights in and out of Europe to pay for their emissions. RBS shutting down some Asian units, 70 people hit HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Royal Bank of Scotland Plc is closing its equity capital market and corporate finance units in South Korea and cash equities businesses in Indonesia, Korea and Singapore in the latest move to cut the size of its struggling investment bank. Tiffany gives upbeat 2012 forecast (Reuters) - Tiffany & Co forecast higher sales for 2012, helped by further expansion in Asia and the Americas, and the high-end jeweler said that after a bumpy holiday season, business so far this year was on track with its projections. Sun Hung Kai executive arrested over suspected bribery HONG KONG (Reuters) - A senior executive at Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd , Asia's largest property developer by market value, has been arrested by Hong Kong's anti-graft body over suspected bribery, in a rare case for a major property company in the city. Related Video Breakingviews: Chance of meaningful reform in China: 'slim' Reuters Today: More M&A in pipeline but markets wilt Economic News Housing starts dip; permits near 3-1/2 year high Fed undecided on more easing: Dudley 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