CL: Stock futures ahead slightly; Costco earnings top analysts' expectations
Stock futures were rising slightly, though European markets were pushing further into the red in early trading. Dow Jones futures were gaining 31 points, Nasdaq futures were ahead 8.25 points and S&P 500 futures were up 4.75 points. (CNN Money)
Asian stocks sagged today as pessimism about global growth spread following a decline on Wall Street and a strengthening yen, which dampened prospects for export-oriented Japan. (Associated Press)
Brent slid to its lowest level since June 2012 after the International Monetary Fund cut global economic growth forecasts, while West Texas Intermediate fell before data that may show U.S. crude stockpiles rose. (Bloomberg Businessweek)
U.S. Business Headlines:
Costco Wholesale today reported fiscal fourth-quarter net income of $697 million, topping Wall Street expectations. (Associated Press)
Heating bills should be lower this winter because the deep freeze that chilled much of the nation last year is unlikely to return, the Energy Department says. (Associated Press)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals, backed by activist investor Bill Ackman from Pershing Square Capital Management, announced Tuesday it plans to raise the price of its acquisition bid to Allergan. (Bidness Etc.)
SolarCity will start offering a first-of-its-kind solar loan to homeowners. (Daily Digest News)
Technology Headlines:
An AT&T employee may have stolen customers' personal information, including Social Security numbers and drivers' license numbers, the company disclosed in a letter to affected customers. (Tom's Guide)
Continuing with its spree of expansions, Google has extended its News & Weather app to Apple users. (India Today)
Kano, the Kickstarter blockbuster that raised $1.52 million to teach children how to build computers and learn how to code, is now available for $150. (Tech Times)
The anticipated 8.9-inch Nexus tablet computer, co-developed Google and Taiwanese handset maker HTC, is expected to go on sale in Taiwan by the end of this year. (CNA News)
World Business Headlines:
The economic impact of the Ebola epidemic could reach $32.6 billion by the end of next year if the disease ravaging Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone spreads to neighboring countries in West Africa, the World Bank Group said today. (Associated Press)
Air France-KLM has put the total cost of last month's two-week pilots strike at $632 million, enough to wipe more than a fifth off the group's estimated full-year core profit and sending its shares to a 13-month low. (Reuters)
Italian automaker Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne, architect of its merger with Chrysler, plans to step down after the end of 2018, after completing its five-year strategic plan to expand the combined carmakers. (RTT News)
The Russian central bank will probably need to spend as much as $30 billion by year's end to slow the decline in the ruble, the world's worst-performing currency last quarter, according to UralSib Capital. (Bloomberg News)
Electricite de France's deal with the U.K. to build the nation's first new nuclear plant in two decades was tweaked to gain European Union approval. (Bloomberg Businessweek)
