Business Today: Futures climb ahead of jobless claims data

Click to View in Browser 06/21/2012 Futures climb ahead of jobless claims data NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock futures edged up on Thursday as Spanish bond yields eased and offset weak manufacturing data in China, ahead of a flurry of domestic economic data. Jobless claims show U.S. labor market struggling WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits was little changed last week, according to government data on Thursday that suggested the labor market was struggling to regain momentum. Japan, Switzerland set up tax deals with U.S. Treasury WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department said on Thursday it had reached agreements with Switzerland and Japan to crack down on tax evasion by Americans, a move meant to help foreign banks in those countries comply with upcoming U.S. tax regulations. Spain borrowing costs peak as EU ponders bank aid MADRID/LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Spain's medium-term borrowing costs soared to euro-era record levels at an auction on Thursday, hours before an independent audit was due to reveal how big a capital hole in Spanish banks needs to be filled by a euro zone bailout. Opel CEO says will keep investing MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Opel, the European arm of General Motors Co , will keep up its product investments and will return to its mass-market roots, its chief executive said on Thursday, a week before he is scheduled to present a restructuring plan. Exclusive: ECB mulls scrapping rating rules for government bonds: sources FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank is discussing a medium-term plan to scrap rating rules on euro zone sovereign bonds and instead set their value when used as collateral in lending operations on its own internal assessment, central bank sources said. China Iran oil imports recover, recoup earlier fall BEIJING (Reuters) - China's crude imports from Iran recovered in May to offset a first-quarter plunge in shipments to nearly half the annual average, after the two nations resolved a wrangle over the terms of annual oil sale contracts. Spain pays new record for medium-term debt MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's borrowing costs hit a new euro era high at a debt auction on Thursday, a few hours before it is expected to shed light on the dire state of its weaker banks and possibly make a formal request for European Union funds to rescue them. Outlook darkens as Europe sinks, China struggles LONDON (Reuters) - The downturn in the euro zone's private sector is becoming entrenched and Chinese factories are finding the going increasingly tough, business surveys showed on Thursday, painting a darker outlook for the world economy. Xstrata puts PNG copper stake on the block SYDNEY/MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Global miner Xstrata Plc has put up for sale a stake in the Frieda River copper project in Papua New Guinea, potentially worth more than $2 billion, as part of a review of its development projects worldwide. Related Video U.S. Morning Call: Stock futures lower; Apple fined Breakingviews: Earnings hopes still too high Economic News Fed ramps up economic stimulus, ready to do more Adult children move back home in tough economy 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