Futures subdued as tech stocks extend fall; Fed minutes awaited

U.S. stock index futures were subdued on Wednesday ahead of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, even as big technology stocks continued to fall, with Salesforce.com declining after a brokerage downgrade.
EXCLUSIVE Walmart arm did not deliberately remove Xinjiang goods, China exec tells analysts

Walmart Inc (WMT.N) arm Sam’s Club, responding to the furore in China over what local media said was its deliberate removal of Xinjiang-sourced products from its app, denied the move in a call with analysts and termed it “a misunderstanding”.
Investors want $2.5 bln in class action over Bayer’s Monsanto deal

FRANKFURT, Jan 3 (Reuters) – Investors are demanding around 2.2 billion euros ($2.5 billion) from Bayer (BAYGn.DE) as part of a possible class action lawsuit in Germany over the takeover of U.S. seed manufacturer Monsanto, law firm Tilp said on Monday. The law firm said that as of Dec. 30, the sum covered lawsuits from about 320 […]
Factbox: U.S. banks tighten COVID-19 precautions as Omicron variant spreads

U.S. banks have been more proactive than other industries in encouraging employees back to the office, but those plans have come under renewed scrutiny due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Analysis: New Xinjiang chief expected to maintain policies, boost economic focus

China’s change of leadership in Xinjiang could indicate greater emphasis on economic development in the region, experts said, although its security crackdown targeting minority Muslims is unlikely to see a significant change in direction.
EXCLUSIVE Activist Jana Partners pushes Encompass Health on potential merger

Activist investment firm Jana Partners wants Encompass Health (EHC.N) to re-engage with interested third parties on a potential merger for its home health and hospice business before moving forward with a planned spin-off of the unit, sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
Analysis: Biden’s regulatory agenda to take shape in 2022

Next year will be a turning point for U.S. financial policy as Democratic President Joe Biden’s new regulators ready a slew of rule changes that are set to create headaches for Wall Street and corporate America.
Dollar inches up in thin holiday trading

The dollar firmed slightly in early Asian trade on Wednesday as a recent rally in shares showed signs of petering out, but holiday-thinned trading meant markets were showing little real direction.
Factbox: U.S. banks tighten COVID-19 precautions as Omicron variant spreads

U.S. banks have been more proactive than other industries in encouraging employees back to the office, but those plans have come under renewed scrutiny due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Telefonica buys Ericsson 5G equipment to replace some Huawei gear

Telefonica (TEF.MC) has bought 5G network equipment from Swedish manufacturer Ericsson (ERICb.ST) to replace some of the Huawei gear it has rolled out in Spain, a source at the Spanish firm said on Monday, confirming a report in Expansion newspaper.