Business Today: Stock futures drop after rally as investors book profit

		Click to View in Browser 01/3/2013 Stock futures drop after rally as investors book profit NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock futures edged lower on Thursday, as investors locked in gains following a rally on Wednesday, which was spurred by a deal by U.S. lawmakers to avert a "fiscal cliff" of austerity measures that had been due to kick in this year. Jobless claims rise in holiday-distorted week WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week, but the data continues to be too distorted by the holidays to offer a clear read of labor market conditions. Private sector adds 215,000 jobs in December: ADP NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private-sector employers added more new jobs than expected last month even as a possible budget crisis loomed, helping the job market end 2012 on a high note, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Thursday. Family Dollar net hit by consumables focus, stock down (Reuters) - Family Dollar Stores Inc posted a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as its emphasis on selling more everyday items such as cigarettes and soft drinks put pressure on margins. Subaru recalls vehicles for lighting issue (Reuters) - Subaru is recalling as many as 634,000 vehicles in the United States for potential lighting problems that could lead to smoke or fire, according to U.S. safety regulators. Bigger fights loom after "fiscal cliff" deal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans face even bigger budget battles in the next two months after a hard-fought "fiscal cliff" deal narrowly averted devastating tax increases and spending cuts. China services growth adds to economic revival hopes BEIJING (Reuters) - Growth in China's increasingly important services sector accelerated in December at its fastest pace in four months, adding to signs of a modest year-end revival in the world's second-largest economy. Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Al Jazeera said on Wednesday it will buy Current TV, the struggling cable channel founded by Al Gore and partners, in a move that will boost the Qatar-based broadcaster's footprint in the United States. Mortgage applications fall for third straight week: MBA (Reuters) - Applications for home mortgages fell last week for the third consecutive week as refinancings fell to the lowest level since last April, an industry group said on Wednesday. Planned layoffs fall in December: Challenger NEW YORK (Reuters) - Planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in December for the first time in four months, while the overall job-cut total in 2012 was the lowest since 1997, a report showed on Thursday. Related Video Wealth Strategies: Tech, homebuilders to lead in 2013 Daily digit: Spain's jobs crisis Economic News Bigger fights loom after "fiscal cliff" deal Planned layoffs fall in December: Challenger 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