en-us Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures fell on Thursday, a day after the Federal Reserve voiced growing optimism about the economy, boosting the U.S. dollar even as interest rates stayed at historic lows. * Citigroup Inc C shares slid 8.4 percent to $3.16 in premarket trading after the...]]> Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:13:35 -0800 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:13:19 -0800 Reuters UK) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term cleared a Senate panel on Thursday despite some lawmakers' misgivings, setting the stage for a contentious Senate debate and vote in January.The Senate Banking Committee backed Bernanke on a 16-7 vote, with one Democrat...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:32:40 -0800 AIG AIG Reuters) - Concerns over the surge in excess reserves in the U.S. banking system and its potential to fire up inflation are "largely unwarranted," according to two New York Federal Reserve economists.The jump in excess reserves, or the amount of funds banks hold beyond what the U.S. central...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:31:47 -0800 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:12:50 -0800 Reuters UK) - The dollar steadied on Tuesday while Asian stocks wavered as investors turned cautious ahead of a meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve although Abu Dhabi's decision to throw a lifeline to Dubai continued to bolster risk appetite. Markets expect the Fed to...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:41:04 -0800 XOM XOM Reuters UK) - The top share index was higher on Wednesday morning, helped by a rebound from the banking sector, in thin trade as investors awaited news from the latest U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting.At 9:20 a.m. British time, the FTSE 100 was up 36.40 points...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:12:04 -0800 AZN BLT GSK RDSA AZN,BLT,GSK,RDSA Reuters UK) - The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to stick to its super loose monetary policy stance on Wednesday as high unemployment constrains policy-makers' enthusiasm about the economy's recent improvement.The Fed began a two-day meeting on Tuesday that is likely to show central bank...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:00:15 -0800 Reuters UK) - Higher-than-expected November U.S. inflation fuelled demand for the dollar on Tuesday. but weighed on stocks and bonds as investors feared the Federal Reserve may need to raise rates faster than anticipated.Oil futures prices rose almost 2 percent to settle above $70 a barrel...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:56:45 -0800 GE GE Reuters UK) - The dollar steadied on Tuesday while Asian stocks wavered as investors turned cautious ahead of a meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve although Abu Dhabi's decision to throw a lifeline to Dubai continued to bolster risk appetite.Markets expect the Fed to pledge to...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:35:45 -0800 XOM XOM Reuters UK) - The U.S. Senate Banking Committee said on Tuesday said it will vote December 17 on the confirmation of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second four-year term at the helm of the U.S. central bank.The committee said in a statement it would announce a time...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:59:25 -0800 Reuters UK) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Monday said the U.S. economy's recovery remained fragile and unemployment may be high for some time, cooling anticipation of an early increase in U.S. interest rates.Three days after news of a surprise fall in the U.S. jobless rate...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:37:07 -0800 Reuters UK) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Monday said the U.S. economy's recovery remained fragile and unemployment may be high for some time, cooling anticipation of an early increase in U.S. interest rates.Three days after news of a surprise fall in the U.S. jobless rate prompted...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:33:00 -0800 Reuters) - Stocks finished flat to slightly higher on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve reiterated its intention to keep interest rates low for the foreseeable future to ensure a sustainable economic recovery.Wall Street trimmed gains after the Fed voted unanimously to keep benchmark borrowing costs in...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:49 -0800 C HON HOV INTC JPM KBH C,HON,HOV,INTC,JPM,KBH Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday voiced growing optimism on the U.S. economy as job losses slow, but repeated a vow to keep interest rates unusually low for "an extended period."In a unanimous decision, the U.S. central bank left benchmark overnight rates...]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:40 -0800 Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday that U.S. banks have been stabilized but lending remains too weak to support a healthy recovery."We have told the banks very clearly that we want them to make loans to creditworthy borrowers, where there are borrowers who can...]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:57:50 -0800 Reuters) - Shifting views on interest rates in 2010 whipsawed markets on Wednesday, with the Australian dollar tumbling as investors scaled back their bets on aggressive rate hikes, while U.S. Treasuries rose before the last Federal Reserve meeting this year.Asian stocks mainly slid on profit taking,...]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:53:44 -0800 Reuters) - Stocks fell on Tuesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 moving off 14-month highs, as a climb in producer prices raised inflation concerns and economic bellwether General Electric issued a flat outlook for 2010.Tuesday's slide broke a four-day winning streak for both the Dow...]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:50:25 -0800 ADBE BBY BA GE ADBE,BBY,BA,GE Reuters) - Bankrupt holding company Washington Mutual Inc WAMUQ asked a federal court to compel the U.S. Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury and more than a dozen others to turn over documents relating to its collapse in 2008.The company wants to investigate discussions between JPMorgan & Chase...]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:49:52 -0800 JPM WM JPM,WM Reuters) - U.S. producer prices jumped a surprising 1.8 percent last month and industrial output rose firmly, sparking inflation jitters in financial markets.The data, which came as Federal Reserve officials gathered for a two-day monetary policy meeting, pulled U.S. stocks off 14-month highs and sharply pushed down...]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:39:28 -0800