Business Today: Bank shares in focus as futures barely budge

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Good Morning Bit, FRI 19 Mar 2010    Bank shares in focus as futures barely budge China tries to cool yuan dispute with U.S. Lloyds says to return to profit this year China banks profit growth to speed up on stimulus exit Fed officials warn against loss of bank oversight Samsung, LG see growth, but know rivals are catching Google may announce China plans next Monday: report FAA faulted on Southwest Airlines Arrow shares halted; Shell/PetroChina to sweeten bid? Lehman says Barclays got $13 billion windfall in sale Business Update: Asia 6-week rally Japan cheers tuna vote outcome Trading on hollywood's future Bank shares in focus as futures barely budge March 19, 2010 08:17 AM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were little changed on Friday, with bank stocks in focus after bailed-out British lender Lloyds Banking Group Plc said it would return to profitability in 2010. Full Article China tries to cool yuan dispute with U.S. March 19, 2010 06:11 AM ET BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Friday said it was sending an envoy to Washington to try to ease trade frictions as its currency regime comes under fire, warning that threats from U.S. legislators could stifle room for progress. Full Article Lloyds says to return to profit this year March 19, 2010 07:54 AM ET LONDON (Reuters) - Bailed out British lender Lloyds Banking Group said on Friday it would return to profit this year thanks to a bigger than expected drop in bad debts, wrong-footing forecasts for another loss and sending its shares sharply higher. Full Article China banks profit growth to speed up on stimulus exit March 19, 2010 05:35 AM ET BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's leading banks will likely affirm their lending will remain brisk and be more profitable this year, their immediate capital needs have been met and that souring loans are at manageable levels. Full Article Fed officials warn against loss of bank oversight March 18, 2010 05:36 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four top Federal Reserve officials urged Congress on Thursday not to strip the U.S. central bank of the authority to supervise small banks, saying they would lose an important finger on the pulse of the economy that helps them guide monetary policy. Full Article Samsung, LG see growth, but know rivals are catching March 19, 2010 04:04 AM ET SEOUL (Reuters) - Technology powerhouses Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics reinforced market optimism that strong demand recovery is in place, while cautioning that competition from global rivals is heating up. Full Article Google may announce China plans next Monday: report March 19, 2010 06:49 AM ET SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Google Inc may make an announcement next Monday about whether it will pull out from China, the China Business News reported on Friday, quoting an unnamed Google employee. Full Article FAA faulted on Southwest Airlines March 19, 2010 07:32 AM ET (Reuters) - A government watchdog faulted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for allowing Southwest Airlines Co to fly jets that had not undergone mandatory maintenance work, violating stipulated safety rules, the Wall Street Journal said. Full Article Arrow shares halted; Shell/PetroChina to sweeten bid? March 19, 2010 07:06 AM ET SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Arrow Energy Ltd asked for trading in its shares to be suspended on Friday, stoking speculation that Royal Dutch Shell and PetroChina would sweeten their joint $3 billion offer for the coal-seam gas producer. Full Article Lehman says Barclays got $13 billion windfall in sale March 18, 2010 07:14 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc fired new allegations at Barclays Capital Inc on Thursday, saying the British investment bank got a $13 billion "windfall" profit from its deal to buy Lehman's U.S. brokerage in September 2008. Full Article

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