Business Today: Stock futures lower following jobless claims data

		Click to View in Browser 02/21/2013 Stock futures lower following jobless claims data NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures continued to retreat on Thursday, following a bigger-than-expected rise in weekly jobless claims. Jobless claims rise more than expected WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but still remained at levels consistent with a steady improvement in labor market conditions. Consumer prices unchanged as gasoline falls WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer prices were flat for a second straight month in January, providing scope for the Federal Reserve to maintain its very accommodative monetary policy stance to stimulate the sluggish economy. Wal-Mart's U.S. customers hit by payroll taxes, gas prices (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday that U.S. sales weakness persisted into early February, as Americans absorbed the impact of higher payroll taxes and gasoline prices, along with slow tax refunds that put some spending on hold. Chesapeake fourth quarter profit tops Street, shares rise (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp reported fourth-quarter profit that topped Wall Street estimates on Thursday, helped by lower-than-expected expenses and more profitable oil production. Analysis: Bankruptcy filing may be bad option for Detroit WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - If the city of Detroit were a company, it would be a prime candidate to file for bankruptcy, using court protection to cut debt, streamline operations and trim retiree benefits. Bombardier profit falls on charge; delays Learjet 85 service entry (Reuters) - Bombardier Inc reported a 93 percent drop in quarterly profit after taking a restructuring charge, and said entry-into-service of its Learjet 85 business aircraft has been delayed to the summer of 2014 due to several technology issues. Linn Energy to buy Berry Petroleum in $2.5 billion stock deal (Reuters) - Oil and gas producer Linn Energy LLC will buy Berry Petroleum Co for $2.5 billion in stock, boosting its reserves of lucrative oil and raising total output by about a third. BofA hires Slowey as EMEA prime broking head: memo LONDON (Reuters) - Bank of America Merrill Lynch has hired Martina Slowey as its EMEA head of prime brokerage, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. Wells Fargo ramps up private equity despite Volcker Rule (Reuters) - When former Wells Fargo & Co Chief Executive Dick Kovacevich joined Norwest Bank in 1986, he had reservations about its private equity investments as he did not think it was the kind of business a bank needed to be in. He got over it. Related Video Economy 2013: LEGO CEO pins hopes on Chima & Hollywood In the Boardroom: Diversity drives – more harm than good? Economic News Jobless claims rise more than expected Consumer prices unchanged as gasoline falls 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