Business Today: Stock futures pare losses after initial claims

Click to View in Browser 04/5/2012 Stock futures pare losses after initial claims NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pared losses on Thursday after data showed initial jobless claims fell to their lowest level in nearly four years last week, indicating the domestic labor market is improving. Jobless claims fall to lowest since 2008 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans lining up for new jobless benefits fell to the lowest level in nearly four years last week, according to a government report that showed ongoing healing in the labor market. Costco misses, Limited tops March sales estimates (Reuters) - Victoria's Secret parent Limited Brands Inc beat sales estimates for March, while Costco Wholesale Corp missed in a month expected to benefit from summery weather and an early Easter. BoE holds steady course as UK stumbles towards growth LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England held back from giving Britain's fragile recovery an extra boost on Thursday, as the economy appears to have avoided falling into recession despite a shock drop in manufacturing output in the first months of 2012. Analysis: Facebook e-commerce: the next big thing? SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A group of e-commerce start-ups, backed by some of the tech world's most pedigreed financiers, are betting that Facebook Inc can become an e-commerce powerhouse to rival Amazon.com Inc and eBay Inc. Volvo to spend $11 billion over coming years STOCKHOLM/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Swedish carmaker Volvo , owned by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd, plans to spend $11 billion on developing new products and boosting its manufacturing footprint in the next few years, a company spokesman said on Thursday. Asian banks warm to bond market innovation SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) - A shortage of U.S. dollars, new banking regulations and strong investor demand means Asian banks are set to help spur long-awaited innovation in the region's debt capital markets. Analysis: Cautious Wal-Mart missing out on Russia's retail boom MOSCOW (Reuters) - Retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc has let caution thwart its ambitions in Russia, and will find profits harder to come by if it delays getting a foothold in the vast market catering to 140 million people. HSBC veteran Flockhart retires from executive role LONDON, APRIL 5 - Sandy Flockhart is retiring as an executive director of HSBC Holdings Plc after a 37-year career at the bank, much of it spent in senior postings in the Middle East and Asia, but will remain on the board, HSBC said on Thursday. Greece again extends bond swap deadline for holdouts ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece extended for a second time on Thursday a deadline for remaining bondholders to accept a debt swap, giving authorities more breathing space to formulate a response to investors who have refused to sign up for the landmark deal. Related Video Fiat eyes Chrysler after sales gloom Market Pulse: Europe gets that sinking feeling Economic News Jobless claims fall to lowest since 2008 Iran, oil, Europe pose risk to economy: Geithner 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