MORNING COFFEE

AIG Lawyer Quits.  
AIG's (AIG) general counsel, Anastasia Kelly, will receive several million dollars in severance pay after resigning over federal pay curbs.  Executives can resign and collect severance if their pay is reduced significantly, under the company's severance plan. The news questions the wisdom of pay caps imposed at TARP at recipient firms.  Critics of pay czar Kenneth Feinberg say high-level executives will leave companies like AIG and move to banks and hedge funds that are not subject to pay caps.

Hiring Increases In 2010?
According to CareerBuilder.com’s 2010 Job Forecast   U.S. employers expect to hire more new workers in 2010 than they did in 2009. 20% of employers plan to add full-time positions next year, up from 14% in 2009, while just 9% plan to cut head count in 2010, down from 16%. But, 61% said they have no plans to change staffing levels, indicating ongoing caution. "Employers are waiting to see what the economy does and what the new year brings," CareerBuilder's Michael Erwin said.

Hong Kong Warns Of Double Dip.  
Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang said he is pessimistic about the pace of the city's economic recovery, and warned of a double dip in 2010. Last month, Tsang expressed concern that money flowing into Asia because of low U.S. interest rates could spark another financial crisis in the region.

• Futures at 7:00: Dow +0.3% to 10519. S&P +0.4% to 1027.50. Nasdaq+0.3%.
Crude -0.5% to $78.38. Gold -0.2% to $1,105.40.
30-year Tsy flat at 115-00. 10-year -0.12%. 5-year -0.13%.
Euro +0.4% vs. dollar. Yen flat. Pound flat.
• Asia: Nikkei +0.0% to 10638. Hang Seng +0.1% to 21499. Shanghai+0.7% to 3212. BSE +0.2% to 17402.
• Europe at midday: FTSE +0.7% to 5440. CAC +0.5% to 3966. DAX+0.2% to 6017.