Business Today: Stock futures imply higher open on supportive central banks

		Click to View in Browser 04/4/2013 Stock futures imply higher open on supportive central banks NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to slight gains at the open on Thursday as aggressive action by the Bank of Japan and supportive comments by U.S. officials indicated continued support for the market. Jobless claims at four-month high, cast shadow over labor market WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose to its highest level in four months last week, suggesting the labor market recovery lost some steam in March. BOJ to pump $1.4 trillion into economy in unprecedented stimulus TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan unleashed the world's most intense burst of monetary stimulus on Thursday, promising to inject about $1.4 trillion into the economy in less than two years, a radical gamble that sent the yen reeling and bond yields to record lows. ECB holds rates, markets watch for signs of later cut FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank kept interest rates on hold on Thursday, waiting to see if a recession-hit economy perks up and whether an aggressive policy move by the Bank of Japan helps the euro zone. Bank of England keeps policy steady despite new remit LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England decided not to pump fresh money into its stagnant economy on Thursday, despite a new remit that gives it more leeway to disregard above-target inflation. GM CEO sees U.S. auto demand strong for next 4-5 years (Reuters) - General Motors Co Chief Executive Dan Akerson said on Thursday the U.S. auto industry will see strong demand for the next four or five years as more drivers continue to replace their aging vehicles. Analysis: Tele2 exits Russia, pursued by capitalist Kremlin bear MOSCOW (Reuters) - Foreign investors venturing into Russia can - and have - made a lot of money, but doing business with the state tends to work out best for the Kremlin capitalists in the end. Planned layoffs fall in March, but worst quarter since 2011 NEW YORK (Reuters) - The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in March but downsizing by retail companies still helped the first quarter rack up the largest amount of cuts in over a year, a report showed on Thursday. GM to invest $332 million in four sites to build fuel-efficient engines (Reuters) - General Motors Co said it will invest about $332 million in four manufacturing sites to produce more fuel-efficient engines and transmission systems. Airbus challenges Boeing with first quarter order boost PARIS (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus looks set to challenge Boeing for top place in the order race in the first quarter after falling behind its U.S. rival in 2012, data showed on Thursday. Related Video U.S. Morning Call: Will the Facebook app get a 'like'? Sports Spread: Grand National favourites Economic News Jobless claims at four-month high, cast shadow over labor market Fed's Lockhart uneasy about possible mid-year "swoon" 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