Business Today: Stock futures fall amid debt limit, profit worries

		Click to View in Browser 01/15/2013 Stock futures fall amid debt limit, profit worries NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures slipped on Tuesday as investors fretted over the debate brewing in Washington over raising the U.S. borrowing limit as well as what is expected to be a lackluster earnings season. Retail sales point to firmer consumer spending WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retail sales rose more than expected in December as Americans shrugged off the threat of higher taxes and bought automobiles and a range of other goods, suggesting momentum in consumer spending as the year ended. Fitch warns on U.S., Spain ratings, upbeat on Ireland LONDON (Reuters) - The United States faces a "material risk" of losing its triple-A status if there is a repeat of the wrangling seen in 2011 over raising the country's self-imposed debt ceiling, credit ratings firm Fitch said on Tuesday. RBS braced for up to $800 million Libor fines: sources LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Bank of Scotland is braced for fines of between 400 million pounds and 500 million pounds ($803 million) for its role in an interest rate rigging scandal, sources familiar with the matter said. Number of working poor families grows as wealth gap widens WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of U.S. families struggling with poverty despite parents being employed continued to grow in 2011 as more people returned to work but mostly at lower-paying service jobs, an analysis released on Tuesday shows. Alibaba's Jack Ma to stand down as CEO, move to chairman role HONG KONG (Reuters) - One of China's best known corporate leaders, billionaire Jack Ma, will step down as CEO of Alibaba Group, the e-commerce empire he founded to tap the nation's enormous online shopping potential, passing the reins to "a younger, better equipped" generation. Fed's Rosengren gives textbook argument for more easing PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Reuters) - Aggressive policy easing will remain necessary for the simple reason that levels of both U.S. unemployment and inflation are not where the Federal Reserve wants them to be, a top U.S. central bank official said on Tuesday. Fiat plans lay-off scheme at Melfi plant for two years TURIN (Reuters) - Fiat has asked the government to approve a special lay-off scheme at its Melfi plant in southern Italy for two years to restructure the plant before production of new models begins, the car maker said on Tuesday. Wal-Mart plans to hire 100,000 veterans over five years (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc , the world's largest retailer, said it plans to hire more than 100,000 veterans in the United States over the next five years, a move supported by First Lady Michelle Obama. South Africa's Amplats to shed mines and 14,000 jobs JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Anglo American Platinum, the world's top platinum producer, said it will mothball two South African mines, sell another and cut 14,000 jobs, risking a repeat of last year's strikes when about 50 people died. Related Video U.S. Morning Call: Investors, analysts eye Facebook event Market Pulse: Platinum: better than gold, my precious! Economic News Retail sales point to firmer consumer spending Fed should ease policy further: Kocherlakota 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