Muted start to second half for Asia stocks as U.S. payrolls loom
Asian stock markets made a subdued start to the second half of 2021 on Thursday, weighed by worries about new coronavirus infections and fresh lockdowns, while bond and currency markets were on edge ahead of U.S. labour data.
Japan business mood at 2.5-year high as COVID hit eases -Tankan
Japanese big manufacturers’ business confidence improved in the second quarter to hit a two-and-half-year high, a central bank survey showed, a sign solid global demand was helping the economy emerge from the coronavirus pandemic-induced doldrums.
Micron sales beat expectations as chip supplies remain tight, prices high
Micron Technology Inc (MU.O) on Wednesday beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit and forecast fourth-quarter revenue above expectations, as tight supplies of memory chips and continued strong demand kept prices high.
Boom! U.S. consumers hit by rising prices for Fourth of July fireworks
U.S. consumers already grappling with surging prices for air fares, rental cars and some hotels this Independence Day holiday weekend have another headache to add to the list: the cost of fireworks.
Smithfield Foods to pay $83 mln to settle pork price-fixing claims
Smithfield Foods Inc (SFII.UL) said on Wednesday it will pay $83 million to settle litigation that accused several companies of conspiring to limit supply in the $20 billion-a-year U.S. pork market to inflate prices and their own profits.
U.S. dollar share of global reserves rises in Q1; euro share slips
The U.S. dollar’s share of currency reserves reported to the International Monetary Fund edged up to 59.5% in the first quarter of the year, from 58.9% in the previous quarter, IMF data showed on Wednesday.
Rolls-Royce partners with Shell in sustainable aviation fuel push
British engineering company Rolls-Royce (RR.L) said it would partner with oil company Shell (RDSa.L) to work on the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in line with both their plans for net zero emissions by 2050.
U.S. pending home sales unexpectedly rise in May
Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes rose by the most in 11 months in May driven by a decline in mortgage rates as well as an uptick in listings.
After $4.4 bln New York IPO, founders of China’s Didi eye global growth
From working at a foot massage company to setting up China’s biggest ride-hailing firm, Will Wei Cheng has navigated several hurdles on the path to taking Didi Global Inc (DIDI.N) public in a $4.4-billion New York float.
Five market trends investors are eyeing halfway through 2021
Investors have enjoyed a rewarding ride in the first half of 2021, as unprecedented economic stimulus, stellar earnings growth and a reopening U.S. economy powered the S&P 500 to record highs and a 14% year-to-date gain, putting the index on track for a first-half performance rivaled only once in over two decades.
