Business Today: Stock futures little changed as market awaits Bernanke, data

		Click to View in Browser 02/27/2013 Stock futures little changed as market awaits Bernanke, data NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited a second round of testimony in Congress by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for signs of whether the Fed will continue its economic stimulus program. Business spending plans gauge hits one-year high in January WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gauge of planned U.S. business spending increased by the most in just over a year in January and new orders for long-lasting manufactured goods excluding transportation rose solidly, pointing to underlying strength in factory activity. Target sees solid year after weak holiday quarter (Reuters) - Retailer Target Corp appears poised for a solid showing in the first quarter and forecast a higher profit for the year after a weak performance in the key holiday season. Pentagon F-35 program chief lashes Lockheed, Pratt AVALON, Australia (Reuters) - The Pentagon program chief for the F-35 warplane slammed its commercial partners Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney on Wednesday, accusing them of trying to "squeeze every nickel" out of the U.S. government and failing to see the long-term benefits of the project. JPMorgan to cut up to 17,000 jobs by end of 2014 NEW YORK (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co said on Tuesday that it plans to cut 17,000 jobs by the end of 2014, representing about 6.6 percent of the company's overall workforce, as the bank sheds staff that helped it deal with bad home loans. Euro zone sentiment rises for fourth month in February BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Economic and business confidence in the 17 countries using the euro improved for the fourth straight month in February, the European Commission said on Wednesday, as factories saw their order books filling up. Three men arrested in UK insider dealing probe LONDON (Reuters) - Three fund management employees have been arrested in London on suspicion of insider dealing and market abuse after police and regulators launched dawn raids on their homes and offices in the capital, the second such swoop this year. Bernanke says Fed stimulus benefits clear, downplays risks WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke strongly defended the U.S. central bank's monetary stimulus before Congress on Tuesday, easing financial market worries over a possible early retreat from bond buys. American, US Airways executives face gentle questioning in Congress WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Executives from American Airlines and US Airways Group Inc on Tuesday faced gentle questions from lawmakers about their planned merger, with some expressing concern about losing hubs in their districts. Italian consumer watchdog appeals to block Monte Paschi bailout ROME (Reuters) - Italian consumer watchdog group Codacons said on Wednesday it had appealed a court ruling in which the government was given the green light to lend 3.9 billion euros ($5.10 billion) to troubled lender Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena . Related Video U.S. Morning Call: Bernanke to the Hill; Apple investor appeal ECONOMY 2013: EADS earnings fly, but will Airbus's next jet? Economic News Obama cites Navy threat, immigrants freed as budget cuts loom Business spending plans gauge hits one-year high in January 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