Reuters - Before the Bell

Click to View in Browser

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.

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.

Oil near five-month high in most bullish week since July

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Brent oil prices held steady near five-month highs, and were on track for the highest weekly rise since the end of July on higher demand forecasts and the restart of oil-hungry refineries in the United States.

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.

BMW says car keys may be replaced by mobile phone apps

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW is reviewing the necessity of car keys, Ian Robertson, the company's board member responsible for sales told Reuters.

Renault-Nissan seeks to double savings from closer cooperation

PARIS (Reuters) - Renault-Nissan pledged to double savings to 10 billion euros ($11.9 billion) by 2022 partly through closer cooperation with Mitsubishi Motors but left key questions about the carmaking alliance unresolved.

North Korea missile test leaves stocks unimpressed; yen wilts

LONDON (Reuters) - Traders paid little attention to the latest missile test by North Korea on Friday, with shares and other risk assets barely moving, gold lower and focus rapidly returning to when and where interest rates will go up.

German union attacks Air Berlin administrators for decision delay

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A German union criticized Air Berlin's administrators for delaying a decision on a carve-up of the insolvent airline until after this month's election, saying it was irresponsible to leave thousands of jobs in the balance.

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.

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.