Evening Business News Snapshot

*HSBC downgraded US stocks to underweight from Neutral

*2014 not to be easier for rupee, other Asian currencies: HSBC

*See mixed Q3 for banks; HDFC Bank, IndusInd top bets: UBS

*Inflows into India to be slow, not bullish on gold: Citi

*Fund managers to place bold bets on midcaps in 2014: Poll

*Nov IIP may grow slightly as global demand picks up: Analysts

*Bet in companies with high RoE, RoC: Nirmal Bang

*FIIs expect Indian market to improve in 2014: KotakInst

*Apple made $10bln App Store sales in 2013

*Emerging mkt investors face year mined with political risks

*No protection to FTIL from HC now, next hearing tomorrow

*Not worried about Dabhol loan turning bad: IFCI

*Forex trading shrinks sharply in dismal end to 2013

*Torrent Pharma open to more acquisitions after Elder

*Hiring set to improve in 2014: Naukri.Com

*Buyout PE deals in India stole the show in 2013

*Digjam promoters settle case with Sebi; pay Rs 13.27 lakh

*Fernas Construction targets Rs 1,500 crore revenue by 2014-15

*Mercedes-Benz launches latest version of S-Class luxury sedan

*Welspun to invest Rs 1,300 cr to set up solar power projects in Punjab

*Two more FIRs filed in coal block allocation scam

*Indiareit announces final close of Domestic Scheme V at Rs 1,000 cr

*JSW Steel Dec crude steel output up 45% at 1.05 mn tonne

*Telenor appoints strategy head Sørby as Uninor CEO

*Mining companies trash Shah panel report

*Cephalon sues Sun Pharma for anti -leukaemia Treanda patent breach

*BPCL to go ahead with Manali Petro for Rs 3,000 crore Polyurethane

*Govt retains 100% FDI in existing pharma units

*Coal India up 6% as board to consider interim dividend on 14-Jan

*Panel suggests free Aadhar-based A/c for all Indians by ’15

*Sensex snaps 5-day fall, closes higher for 1st time in 2014

*Gillette India tanks on denial of delisting, open offer plans

*Huge investment no ground for not cancelling coal allocation: SC

*CCEA may consider import duty hike on refined oil to 10%