Category: global

Stocks Struggle, Dollar Gains as Investors Scrutinize Data

LONDON—Global stocks struggled on Friday as investors pored over economic data for clues on the likelihood of more interest rate hikes and possible recession in the United States as a new earnings season unfolded. The dollar edged up and looked set for its first weekly gain in more than a month on Friday. Oil prices…


Dollar Steadies After Strong US Bank Results

TOKYO/LONDON—The U.S. dollar steadied on Thursday after strong U.S. banking results firmed up expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep monetary policy tight for a while longer. Morgan Stanley reported first quarter profit on Wednesday that beat expectations, adding to rosy results from major U.S. lenders that have calmed fears of a widening crisis after…


Oil Prices at 3-Week Low as Strong Dollar, Rate Hikes Weigh

LONDON—Oil prices fell to their lowest in about three weeks on Thursday, depressed by a firmer dollar and rate hike expectations which outweighed lower U.S. crude stocks. Brent crude futures were down $1.12, or 1.4 percent, to trade at $82.00 a barrel at 0819 GMT. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures dropped $1.02, or 1.3…


Central Banks, Earnings Dampen Stocks’ Upbeat Mood

LONDON—World stocks pulled further away from 2–1/2 week highs touched earlier this week, with sentiment dampened by expectations for further rate hikes from big central banks, and with the focus fixed on the earnings season. The pan-European STOXX 600 index, which hit 14-month highs on Tuesday, was down a third of a percent in early…


Oil Slides as Interest Rate Expectations Eclipse Chinese Data

LONDON—Oil prices dropped sharply on Wednesday, sliding by 2 percent as potential U.S. interest rate hikes that could slow growth and curb oil consumption outweighed strong Chinese economic data and falling U.S. inventories. Brent crude futures shed $1.70 to $83.07 a barrel by 0929 GMT while West Texas Intermediate U.S. crude fell by $1.64 to…


Stocks Ease, Dollar Perks Up as Focus Returns to Fed and Inflation

LONDON/SINGAPORE—Global stocks eased on Wednesday, while the dollar pulled further above last week’s one-year lows, as investor focus honed in on what the Federal Reserve may have to do to tame inflation, rather than on the recent problems in the U.S. banking sector. The MSCI All-World index fell 0.2 percent, thanks to a broad-based decline…


Dollar Slides After Upbeat China Data; Aussie, Pound Rise

LONDON—The dollar fell against most major currencies on Tuesday after better-than-forecast growth data from China, while strong pay figures from Britain supported the pound. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.5 percent year-on-year in the first three months of the year, data showed on Tuesday, beating analyst forecasts for a 4 percent expansion as the…


Oil Slips on Economy Worries, Despite China Growth Data

LONDON—Oil fell for a second day on Tuesday as upbeat Chinese economic data failed to deflect the focus from a possible increase to U.S. interest rates and wider concern about the growth outlook. Crude prices were also pressured by the Iraq federal government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) taking a step towards a resumption in…


Stock Market Today: Shares Mixed Following China Growth Data

TOKYO—Global shares were mixed Tuesday as pessimism over economic and political uncertainties remained even as China reported better-than-expected growth data. France’s CAC 40 added 0.3 percent in early trading to 7,517.90. Germany’s DAX rose nearly 0.1 percent to 15,804.68. Britain’s FTSE 100 added 0.2 percent to 7,897.45. U.S. shares were set to drift higher with…


Dollar Hits 1-month High Against Yen as Traders Bet on Fed Rate Hike

LONDON—The dollar climbed to a one-month high against Japan’s yen on Monday as traders eyed up another interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve, while the Bank of Japan stuck to its easy-money policies for now. The dollar rose to 134.22 yen earlier in the session, the highest level since March 15. It was last…