Crown, forint expected to firm as interest rates rise

The Czech crown and the Hungarian forint will extend gains in the coming year as their central banks hike rates to curb inflation during the post-pandemic economic recovery, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.
German industrial orders bounce back, but supply bottlenecks weigh

German industrial orders rose more than twice as much as expected in June, driven by bookings from domestic clients for large manufacturing products, but weaker turnover suggested that supply bottlenecks continued to hold back production.
Merck KGaA raises outlook after forecast-beating Q2 profit

Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE) raised its outlook after posting forecast-beating second quarter profits on Thursday, boosted by demand for its lab gear and supplies from pharma companies making treatments and vaccines against the coronavirus.
Boeing 737 MAX departs for key test flight in China

A Boeing Co (BA.N) 737 Max jet departed for China on Wednesday to conduct a flight test as part of the U.S. planemaker’s attempt to gain approval in the vital travel market following two fatal crashes, people familiar with the matter said.
Siemens raises profit guidance again as industrial demand ramps up

German engineering and technology company Siemens (SIEGn.DE) raised its profit guidance on Thursday for the third time this year on the back of a post-pandemic surge in demand.
Indonesia exits recession with 7% GDP growth in Q2, but virus clouds recovery

Indonesia pulled out of recession in the second quarter, reporting its strongest annual growth rate in 17 years, but analysts warned its economic recovery will suffer a setback due to a recent surge in COVID-19 infections.
Singapore’s DBS bets on post-pandemic recovery, profit up on lower credit costs

Singapore’s DBS Group Holdings (DBSM.SI) flagged strong loan growth and lower credit costs ahead after a rebound in its mainstay home market fuelled a better-than-expected 37% jump in quarterly net profit for Southeast Asia’s biggest lender.
Oil rises on Mideast tensions but virus concerns weigh

Oil prices rose towards $71 a barrel on Thursday on rising Middle East tensions, while fresh movement restrictions imposed by countries to counter a surge in COVID-19 cases threatened the demand recovery.
Wall Street closes mixed, S&P 500 ends off record high

U.S. stocks closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 falling from a record high after data signaled a slowdown in jobs growth in July, and General Motors tracked its worst day since early March.
New York Auto Show canceled amid Delta variant worries

Organizers on Wednesday canceled the New York Auto Show that had been set for later this month amid rising COVID-19 cases caused by the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus amid rethinking of return to offices schedules.