Reuters - Before the Bell

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Monday, January 7, 2019

Stock futures flat after Wall Street's strongest surge in new year

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Monday after Wall Street's biggest one-day surge in the new year on Friday, as focus shifted to the latest round of trade talks between the United States and China.

China's Geely sees sales growth evaporating as car market struggles

China's most globally high-profile and successful carmaker, Geely, is forecasting flat sales this year, a sharp slowdown from 2018 as the country's giant auto market struggles with slowing economic growth and more cautious consumers.

Exclusive: Aston Martin triggers Brexit contingencies to prepare for no deal

Aston Martin has hired a supply chain chief and approved Brexit plans to avoid delays by using ports other than Dover and flying in components as the carmaker prepares for a possible no deal in March, its boss told Reuters.

PG&E shares plunge on bankruptcy worries

PG&E Corp's shares plunged more than 18 percent on Monday after sources said the California utility is exploring filing for bankruptcy protection as it fears a big charge in the fourth quarter related potential liabilities from wildfires.

Lilly to buy Loxo Oncology in $8 billion cancer push

Eli Lilly and Co said on Monday it would buy Loxo Oncology Inc for about $8 billion in cash, buying into a portfolio of targeted medicines to treat cancers caused by rare gene mutations.

Central banks, U.S. employers support world stocks

Strong employment data in the United States, decisive action from the Chinese central bank and dovish messages from U.S. Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell steadied markets on Monday, pushing an index of world stocks to a 2-1/2 week high.

Credit Suisse settles New York state RMBS lawsuit

Credit Suisse has settled a 2012 New York state lawsuit alleging misconduct over residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), with a source familiar with the deal saying the bank would pay much less than prosecutors had originally sought.

Nucor to set up plate mill in U.S. Midwest for $1.35 billion

Steel producer Nucor Corp said on Monday it would spend about $1.35 billion to build a plate mill in the U.S. Midwest, taking advantage of federal tax cuts that has resulted in windfall gains for several companies.

Starboard takes stake in Dollar Tree, seeks sale of Family Dollar

Activist investor Starboard Value LP said it had acquired a 1.7 percent stake in discount store operator Dollar Tree Inc and urged it to explore a sale of its underperforming Family Dollar business.

Chinese tech investors flee Silicon Valley as Trump tightens scrutiny

New Trump administration policies aimed at curbing China's access to American innovation have all but halted Chinese investment in U.S. technology startups, as both investors and startup founders abandon deals amid scrutiny from Washington.