NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures added to gains on Wednesday after data showed U.S. jobless claims tumbled last week to the lowest level in more than a year, even as orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods fell unexpectedly in October.

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for jobless insurance tumbled last week by a surprisingly large amount to the lowest level in more than a year, according to government data on Wednesday that gave fresh evidence the battered labor market is improving.

  STOCKHOLM/WIESBADEN (Reuters) - General Motors was grappling with the future of two European units on Wednesday, seeking options for Saab after a sale collapsed and preparing to show unions its Opel restructuring plan.

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods fell unexpectedly in October, according to government data on Wednesday that reinforced views of a gradual economic recovery from recession.

  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tiffany & Co reported a larger-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its forecast for full-year earnings on the strength of its overseas sales and a solid start to the holiday season, sending the upscale jeweler's shares up nearly 6 percent.

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending rose more than expected in October as incomes increased, data showed on Wednesday, offering some hope at the start of the fourth quarter for the nascent economic recovery.

  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Deere & Co , the world's largest maker of tractors and harvesters, reported a quarterly net loss on Wednesday on weak equipment sales and a series of one-time charges.

  NEW YORK (Reuters) - American International Group Inc, the insurer that received billions of dollars in a U.S. bailout, has been authorized by its board to pay Chief Executive Robert Benmosche's $7 million compensation, after it laid to rest concerns that he may quit the post.

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve officials are increasingly confident the U.S. economic recovery will be durable, but do not see employment or inflation picking up soon, minutes from their November meeting showed.

  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell is to leave the company at the end of the year, indicating that he is looking for a bigger job at another company.