Business Today: U.S. jobless claims fall; four-week average at pre-recession level

		Click to View in Browser 09/5/2013 U.S. jobless claims fall; four-week average at pre-recession level WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week to a near five-year low, a sign of economic health that could help convince the Federal Reserve to wind down a bond-buying stimulus program. U.S. private sector adds 176,000 jobs in August: ADP NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. private employers added 176,000 jobs in August, nearly matching economists' expectations for the month, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Thursday. U.S. planned layoffs jump in August: Challenger NEW YORK (Reuters) - The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms surged in August to their highest in half a year, with industrial goods manufacturers the hardest hit, a report on Thursday showed. ECB holds rates, Draghi's guidance under market microscope FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday, and markets turned their attention to ECB chief Mario Draghi's news conference for any signs a euro zone recovery will affect the bank's policy stance. Bank of England holds fire, investors bet on earlier rate hike LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England left monetary policy unchanged on Thursday but made no new attempt to talk down borrowing costs in financial markets, prompting investors to add to bets it will raise interest rates sooner than it has suggested. Futures flat as investors look to labor market data NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed Thursday, as investors were reluctant to make big bets following steep gains in the previous session, and ahead of data that could provide a clue on the timing of changes to monetary policy. U.S. stimulus pullback dominates G20 economy talks ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and China warned on Thursday that the end of the U.S. Federal Reserve's bond-buying program could have a profound impact on the global economy and urged caution. AT&T, America Movil, Sawiris sound out Telecom Italia: source MILAN (Reuters) - Egyptian tycoon Naguib Sawiris, AT&T and America Movil have made contact with the core Telecom Italia investors who want to sell their shares in the Italian group, a source close to the situation said. BRICS to commit $100 billion to foreign exchange fund, completion a way off ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - The BRICS group of emerging economies will contribute $100 billion to a fighting fund to steady currency markets destabilized by an expected pullback of U.S. monetary stimulus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. India markets rally as new RBI chief fuels confidence MUMBAI (Reuters) - The rupee rallied and shares surged on Thursday after India's new central bank chief unveiled measures to support the ailing currency, providing a shot of confidence for investors unnerved by the country's worst economic crisis in two decades. Related Video Sports Spread: Injuries blight England's Brazil campaign Breakingviews: Middle East turmoil perpetuates OPEC charade Economic News U.S. jobless claims fall; four-week average at pre-recession level U.S. unit labor costs flat, productivity rises 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