Business Today: Exxon quarterly profit falls 7 percent

		Click to View in Browser 11/1/2012 Exxon quarterly profit falls 7 percent (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Thursday reported a lower profit, as a 7.5 percent drop in oil and natural gas production and weaker commodity prices took a toll. Ford executives may reveal CEO succession (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co's top executives may announce succession plans for CEO and President Alan Mulally at a 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT) conference call this morning. Jobless claims fall; NJ, DC estimated due to storm WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, a sign the labor market's slow recovery was gaining traction. Kellogg profit rises, keeps outlook (Reuters) - Kellogg Co reported higher quarterly profit on Thursday, helped by strong performance in its Pringles business. Stock futures imply steady open, JDA rallies NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a steady open on Thursday as investors continued to deal with the aftermath of the massive storm Sandy in the northeast, which had forced a historic two-day market closure earlier this week. Private sector adds most jobs in 8 months in Oct NEW YORK (Reuters) - Companies added 158,000 jobs in October in the biggest gain in eight months, data from a payrolls processor showed on Thursday in a revamped report on the private sector labor market. Rite Aid says eight stores substantially damaged by Sandy (Reuters) - Rite Aid Corp said on Thursday that Hurricane Sandy substantially damaged eight of its stores and it expects the storm will hurt comparable sales in November, after boosting some sales late in the month as shoppers planned ahead. Productivity increases modestly, unit labor costs drop WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nonfarm productivity increased at a modest pace in the third quarter, giving little sign that businesses are poised to ramp up hiring significantly. Chrysler says October car sales best in five years (Reuters) - Chrysler Group LLC said Thursday that October car sales were the best in five years. Avon slashes dividend as profit plunges (Reuters) - Avon Products Inc slashed its dividend by nearly 74 percent on Thursday, while also announcing measures to cut costs by at least $400 million within three years in moves designed to shore up its finances while it new chief executive officer works on a turnaround. Related Video Sports Spread: Raining goals forecast at Old Trafford Japanese company brings personal touch to teleconferencing Economic News Jobless claims fall; NJ, DC estimated due to storm Productivity increases modestly, unit labor costs drop 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