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.
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.
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.
Fed’s Rosengren says central bank needs to keep eye on financial stability risks
Federal Reserve officials need to keep a close watch on financial stability risks, and rising home prices in particular should be monitored, Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said on Wednesday.
Nespresso not raising coffee prices yet, sees slow demand from offices
Nespresso, the premium coffee division controlled by Nestle SA (NESN.S), has not increased prices for its capsules yet despite a sharp increase in benchmark prices for arabica beans, opting to wait and see if the upward trend is sustainable over time.
Alfi Inc shares set to fall from record highs, ‘meme stock’ Torchlight sinks
Shares of software firm Alfi Inc (ALF.O) fell 10% in early deals on Wednesday after more than doubling in value in the previous session, in a move evocative of the so-called “meme stock” frenzy that has gripped equity markets this year.
