Category: global

Global Stocks Lower After Wall Street Steadies Amid Rate Fears

BEIJING—Major global stock markets were mostly lower Thursday amid worries about more U.S. interest rate hikes. London, Shanghai, and Frankfurt declined. Tokyo advanced. Oil prices were lower. Wall Street futures were lower following Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell’s warning that rate hikes might speed up because upward pressure on prices is stronger than expected. Investors…


Dollar Scales 3-month Peak as Powell Flags Higher Rates

LONDON—The dollar scaled multi-month highs against most other major currencies on Wednesday, after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that U.S. interest rates might need to go up even faster and higher than expected to rein in stubborn inflation. Higher rates benefit the dollar by improving its yield and as traders look for safety while…


Oil Steadies After Rate Hike Concerns Spur Sell-Off

LONDON—Oil prices steadied after earlier losses on Wednesday, driven by fears that more aggressive U.S. interest rate hikes would hit demand, while the market awaited further clarity on inventories. Brent crude futures climbed 11 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $83.40 per barrel by 1103 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures eased 9 cents,…


Global Stocks Fall Amid Fears About Faster Rate Hikes

TOKYO—Global shares were mostly lower Wednesday as investors fretted that the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates faster if the pressure stays high on inflation. France’s CAC 40 shed 0.2 percent to 7,325.65 in early trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 dipped 0.3 percent to 7,898.54. Germany’s DAX inched down less than 0.1 percent to 15,555.97. U.S….


Dollar Steady Before Powell Testimony; Aussie Slips

SINGAPORE/LONDON—The U.S. dollar held steady on Tuesday ahead of testimony before Congress by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, while the Aussie slid after the Reserve Bank of Australia hinted it might nearly be done with monetary tightening. The Australian dollar was the day’s major G10 mover, sliding as much as 0.79 percent to $0.6679, its…


Oil Steady as Market Juggles Supply and Demand Fears

LONDON—Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday after five sessions of gains, with weak oil data from top crude importer China balanced by concern over supply. Brent crude futures fell 22 cents, or 0.26 percent, to $85.96 a barrel by 1043 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 16 cents, or 0.2 percent, at…


Global Shares Mixed as Investors Watch Fed Moves, Inflation

TOKYO—Global shares were mixed in muted trading Tuesday as investors tried to digest a slew of economic data and awaited moves by the U.S. Federal Reserve. France’s CAC 40 fell 0.1 percent in early trading to 7,363.24. Germany’s DAX added nearly 0.1 percent to 15,659.63. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged up less than 0.1 percent to…


World Stocks Gain After Wall Street Has Best Day in 6 Weeks

BANGKOK—Shares were mostly higher Monday in Europe and Asia after strong data on the U.S. economy sent Wall Street to its best close in six weeks. Germany’s DAX gained 0.4 percent to 15,644.08 and the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.7 percent at 7,397.31. London’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1 percent lower to 7,941.38. The…


Dollar Eases Ahead of Powell’s Testimony and Pivotal Monthly Jobs Data

LONDON—The U.S. dollar eased on Monday as investors awaited testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ahead of the February jobs report at the end of the week that will likely influence how much more the U.S. central bank will raise interest rates. The dollar index, which measures the performance of the U.S. currency against…


Oil Down on China Outlook, Spotlight on Powell Testimony

Oil prices slipped on Monday after China set a lower-than-expected target for economic growth this year at around 5 percent, and as investors cautiously awaited U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony this week. Brent crude futures were trading down 53 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $85.30 a barrel at 0735 GMT. U.S. West Texas…