Reuters - Before the Bell

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Friday, September 1, 2017

U.S. stock futures higher as August payrolls data awaited

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher on Friday as investors await the August nonfarm payrolls report, which is likely to feed into the Federal Reserve's decision for an interest rate hike later this year.

Oil falls after Harvey floods U.S. refineries

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which has killed more than 40 people and brought record flooding to the oil heartland of Texas, paralysing a quarter of the U.S. refining industry.

Storm Harvey opens up rare jet fuel exports from Europe to U.S.

LONDON (Reuters) - Traders are shipping jet fuel from Europe to the United States, where Tropical Storm Harvey has sparked concern over possible shortages of the aviation fuel.

Retail U.S. gasoline prices surge as Harvey upends global markets

HOUSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retail U.S. gasoline prices hit two-year highs and global shipping routes were scrambled as the nation's largest refiners remained shut on Friday, even as Harvey was losing strength.

Dow, DuPont complete planned merger to form DowDuPont

(Reuters) - Dow Chemical Co and DuPont said on Friday the companies had successfully completed their planned $130 billion merger to form DowDuPont.

Stocks advance, dollar struggles ahead of U.S. jobs data

LONDON (Reuters) - Gains for Europe and Asia pushed world shares back towards record highs on Friday, while the dollar lost traction ahead of U.S. payrolls data.

IEA still sees no need to release oil stocks

LONDON (Reuters) - The International Energy Agency (IEA) still sees no need for a coordinated international release of oil stocks after Hurricane Harvey disrupted a large chunk of U.S. refining and some production facilities, it said on Friday.

German bridge loan for Air Berlin not paid out yet: Economy Ministry

BERLIN (Reuters) - The German government's bridge loan to insolvent airline Air Berlin has not yet been paid but there is no delay to the schedule, a spokeswoman for the Economy Ministry said on Friday.

Just smile: In KFC China store, diners have new way to pay

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Diners at a KFC store in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou will have a new way to pay for their meal. Just smile.

Western Digital CEO apologized to Toshiba for friction over chip unit sale

TOKYO (Reuters) - Western Digital Corp's CEO apologized to his counterpart at Toshiba Corp for strained ties after the U.S. firm sued to keep their chip joint venture from being sold to rival bidders, according to an Aug. 11 letter.