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Friday, September 15, 2017

Futures dip; economic data blast awaited for rate-hike clues

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were slightly lower on Friday, with investors shrugging off North Korea's latest missile test and instead awaiting a slew of economic data for indicators on when interest rates will next be raised.

U.S. retail sales post biggest drop in six months

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in August, likely hurt by the impact of Hurricane Harvey on motor vehicle purchases, suggesting a moderation in consumer spending in the third quarter.

Portland probe finds Uber used software to evade 16 government officials

(Reuters) - A sweeping investigation by the city of Portland, Oregon, found that Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] used a software tool to intentionally evade 16 government officials whose job it was to regulate the ride-services company, city officials said on Thursday.

Business interrupted: hurricane-damaged firms dig in for insurance fight

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Business owners who are trying to get back on track after hurricanes Harvey and Irma now face a different sort of challenge: trying to recoup lost income from their insurers.

Drug industry on tenterhooks as Maryland price-gouging law nears

(Reuters) - As U.S. consumer outrage grows over prescription drug prices, state authorities and patient advocates in Maryland are preparing to enforce the nation's first law designed to punish drugmaker price-gouging.

Macy's to hire 80,000 workers for holidays, fewer than last year

(Reuters) - Macy's Inc will increase by 20 percent the number of workers it hires during the holiday shopping season to staff distribution and warehouses that support its online business, but total holiday hiring will fall.

Stocks lure in cash but investors eyeing signs of correction: BAML

LONDON (Reuters) - Riskier assets were in vogue this week as investors poured $8.9 billion into equities, but strategists at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said flows data indicated positioning remained shy of peak levels.

Beijing cryptocurrency exchanges told to announce trading halt: source

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have ordered Beijing-based cryptocurrency exchanges to cease trading and immediately notify users of their closure, signaling a widening crackdown by authorities on the industry to contain financial risks.

China green car pivot will need state support, GM chief says

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's big push towards new-energy vehicles (NEV) will require government backing to win over consumers, Mary Barra, chief executive of General Motors Co, said on Friday, amid broader industry concerns over tough NEV quotas in the market.

Energy firms battle startups to wire Europe's highways for electric cars

PARIS/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The battle over how and where Europeans charge their electric cars is expanding from the continent's cities to its motorways.