Jessica Alba
Image: Helga Esteb/Shutterstock
Good morning. Here's what you need to know.
  • Asian shares traded higher overnight, with China's Shanghai SE Composite up 1.2%. Nearly all major European exchanges are in the green this morning, while U.S. futures point to a flat open. 
  • Chinese manufacturing slowed for a second month, data from HSBC Holdings and Markit Economics shows. The index rose to 48.7 from 47.7 last month, but remained below 50, indicating contraction. The Chinese government announces the official reading tonight.
  • Egypt saw its sovereign debt downgraded to BB- by ratings agency Fitch. "The downgrade and Negative Outlook reflect the substantial and continuous erosion of Egypt's international reserves in 2011, which accelerated in October/November," lead analyst Richard Fox says.
  • Hungary approved a central bank law that caused the E.U. and IMF to drop bailout talks. The E.U. had asked the country to increase the ranks of the rate-setting Monetary Council and the number of deputy governors, to lower possible government influence. The new law threatens the independence of Hungary's central bank.
  • The Euro traded below 100 Japanese yen, a level not seen in over a decade. Debt concerns continue to weigh on the currency, and investors have been rewarding the U.S. dollar along with the yen.
  • Natural gas has fallen to a 27-month low, dropping below $3 per million BTU. The commodity saw increased pricing pressure after yesterday's announcement that inventories remained higher than analysts had predicted. 
  • The sexual harassment letter that ended in Mark Hurd's ousting from HP leaked on All Things D, a day after U.S. courts said the letter could be released. The letter, sent from Jodie Fisher's attorney Gloria Allred to HP's board, claims that Hurd invited Fisher up to his hotel room and brushed his hand against her breast twice.
  • AMR, the parent company of American Airlines currently filing for bankruptcy, will have its shares delisted by the NYSE before trading begins on January 5, 2012. The stock has been trading near $0.51 a share, below requirements it remains above at least $1.00. AMR told the exchange that it did not foresee shares topping the dollar mark before that date.
  • Verizon Wireless announced it would add $2 fees to customer accounts for paying their bills over the phone or online. Customers can avoid the fees if they set up automatic bill payments. The news has riled Verizon subscribers, especially after a month of several data outages.
  • After a drawn out legal drama, Trust Company of the West (TCW) finally settled its lawsuit against bond star Jeffrey Gundlach. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.  TCW had accused Gundlach of stealing trade secrets when he left the firm to set up his current shop, 
Bonus: Jessica Alba shows off her new post-baby bikini-body while vacationing.