Siemens raises growth target with digital drive

Siemens (SIEGn.DE) unveiled targets on Thursday to outpace the market by combining its core engineering business with digital expertise in the first strategic blueprint under new Chief Executive Roland Busch.
Afterpay’s move to open to major U.S. merchants will boost margins, analysts say

Afterpay’s (APT.AX) move to expand its buy now, pay later service to major U.S. merchants it has not directly partnered with will boost sales and margins, analysts said on Thursday, as the Australian company’s shares rose nearly 8%.
Asian shares tread water, markets eye U.S. inflation signals

Asian shares marked time on Thursday, with China nudging lower, while the U.S. dollar held below an 11-week high as investors reassessed U.S. Federal Reserve statements on inflation and looked to upcoming data for direction.
What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus right now.
Dollar rally sputters as Fed sends mixed signals on inflation

The U.S. dollar vacillated below an 11-week high versus major peers on Thursday as traders attempted to navigate conflicting signals from Federal Reserve officials on the timing of a withdrawal of monetary stimulus.
St. Modwen accepts Blackstone’s raised $1.75 bln take-private offer

Housebuilder and logistics firm St. Modwen Properties (SMP.L) said on Thursday it has agreed to a sweetened 1.25 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) offer from U.S. private equity firm Blackstone (BX.N) to take it private.
Rising inflation puts Bank of England on the spot

The Bank of England will say on Thursday whether it is worried about a recent jump in inflation, which broke above the central bank’s 2% target and looks set to climb higher as Britain reawakens its economy from its coronavirus slumber.
Yellen says inflation should be lower than current levels by year end

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that inflation should retreat by year end from its current elevated level as supply bottlenecks get worked out, adding she sees little evidence inflation expectations are becoming unanchored.
REUTERS EVENTS Allstate seeks more agents, but not as ‘human modems’

Allstate Corp (ALL.N) wants to buy more independent insurance agencies this year to build the business it acquired with its purchase of National General, Allstate Chief Executive Tom Wilson told Reuters on Wednesday.
Canada lawmakers pass budget bill with pandemic supports ahead of summer recess

Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday passed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s budget bill, approving billions in funding to extend COVID-19 supports on the last day of voting before the summer break and a likely election in the fall.