Thursday morning headlines

Stocks open lower: So far the market is ignoring some decent economic news. Dow is down about 20 points.

Jobless claims fall: More of the same zigzag - filings are down 42,000 from the previous week, to 415,000. Four-week moving average is at 430,500. Still looking for under 400,000 as a sign of lower unemployment. (CNNMoney)

Retailers report solid January: Never a big month, but a number of chains, including Costco, Limited Brands and Macy's, posted better-than-expected gains. (AP)

Oil prices rise: Outbreak of violence in Egypt is certainly not helping quell the markets. Crude is trading in NY at $91+ a barrel and over $103 overseas. (Reuters)

AEG taking on Ticketmaster: The L.A. concert promoter is teaming up with a small tech company called Outbox, whose partners include former Ticketmaster CEO Fred Rosen. From the WSJ:

Los Angeles-based AEG expects to start selling its tickets through Outbox in the next six to 12 months, and to have nearly all its venues throughout the world on the new system within two years. The only exceptions are its sites in Germany, which are under contract to a local ticketing company. The venture also plans to compete for the business of current Ticketmaster clients, as their agreements with Ticketmaster expire.

Air traffic begins to recover: More flights are getting through to Chicago and other Midwestern cities this morning. But it's very cold. (Crains Chicago Business)

Feds target bankers: The FDIC is suing 12 former officers and directors of 1st Centennial Bank, alleging gross negligence in approving loans to developers in the Inland Empire. From the LAT:

The borrowers included friends and repeat customers whose relationships with 1st Centennial were fraught with conflicts of interest, according to the complaint filed last month in federal court in Los Angeles. "Defendants recklessly implemented an unsustainable business model pursuing rapid asset growth concentrated in high-risk loans in commercial real estate without having adequate ... policies to manage the risk," the suit says.

Countrywide executives settle lawsuit for $6.5 million: The state of California had accused former CEO Angelo Mozilo and former President David Sambol of luring borrowers with teaser rates on adjustable-rate loans without disclosing the downside of the loans. (Sacramento Business Journal)

Long Beach women's conference dropped: California's new first lady, Anne Brown, says she has other priorities. The annual conclave brought in lots of big names. (Press-Telegram)