Business Today: Consumer spending falls, inflation subdued

		Click to View in Browser 05/31/2013 Consumer spending falls, inflation subdued WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer spending fell in April for the first time in almost a year and inflation pressures were subdued, pointing to a slowdown in economic activity that should see the Federal Reserve maintaining its monetary stimulus for a while. Record unemployment, low inflation underline Europe's pain BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - Unemployment has reached a new high in the euro zone and inflation remains well below the European Central Bank's target, stepping up pressure on EU leaders and the ECB for action to revive the bloc's sickly economy. Futures drop, but on track for seventh month of gains NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were lower on Friday as investors took profit following a recent rally, though they remained on track to close out a seventh straight month of gains. Banks said to lend China's Shuanghui $7 billion for Smithfield deal HONG KONG (Reuters) - Bank of China and Morgan Stanley have combined to provide $7 billion of loans to finance Shuanghui International's record deal to buy U.S. pork producer Smithfield Foods , people familiar with the matter said on Friday. TUI Travel picks Boeing for 60-plane order worth $6 billion LONDON (Reuters) - British travel firm TUI Travel agreed to buy 60 mid-range Boeing jets with an option for 90 more, moving to make its fleet more fuel-efficient and delivering the U.S. planemaker a big contract win over European rival Airbus. Apple joins other foreign brands in raising prices in Japan TOKYO (Reuters) - Apple Inc hiked prices of iPads and iPods in Japan on Friday, becoming the latest and highest-profile brand to join a growing list of foreign firms asking Japanese consumers to pay more as a weakening yen squeezes income. Banks in the dark over $15 billion of promised Rosneft M&A business LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Banks that helped Russian oil company Rosneft finance its $55 billion buyout of rival TNK-BP have been left waiting for their payback - a share in $15 billion in asset sales expected to follow the deal, sources familiar with matter said. After pigeons, 'chicks' battle French entrepreneur rules PARIS (Reuters) - Seven months after a pressure group called "The Pigeons" forced the French government to scrap tax rises on entrepreneurs, a new movement called "The Chicks" is challenging plans to curb other advantages for the self-employed. Dell urges shareholders to vote for CEO's offer (Reuters) - Dell Inc urged shareholders on Friday to vote for the $24.4 billion buyout offer led by founder and Chief Executive Michael Dell at a special meeting on July 18, saying the bid was superior to other strategic options. Analysis: QE talk spurs caution in Asian markets, yet money stays SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Heads we buy Asia, tails we don't sell. Related Video Reuters Asks: How can Europe bring down youth unemployment? Market Pulse: Stocks in the red, but golden run still intact Economic News Consumer spending falls, inflation subdued Jobless claims unexpectedly rise, but still within 2013 range 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