Exxon lobbyist duped by Greenpeace says climate policy was a ploy, CEO condemns statements

A lobbyist for Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) said the company supports a carbon tax publicly because the plan to curb climate change would never gain enough political support to be adopted, according to an interview aired on Wednesday.
Fast and furious first half of 2021 keeps financial markets at full throttle

After the unprecedented pandemic-driven swings in global financial markets last year 2021 was never going to be dull, and so it has proved.
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.
Dollar drives higher as traders look to Fed clues from U.S. jobs data

The dollar clung to recent gains on Wednesday as virus woes raised concerns in a market already on edge ahead of U.S. jobs data seen as crucial to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy outlook.
Global shares edge lower on new COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia

Global shares edged lower on Tuesday, as new coronavirus outbreaks in Asia vied with strong U.S. consumer confidence, and as investors speculated about whether the Federal Reserve would accelerate its timetable to end easy monetary policy.
Bank stocks set Dow for higher open ahead of consumer confidence data

The blue-chip Dow index was set to open higher on Tuesday, as shares of big U.S. banks rose, while investors looked to consumer confidence data against the backdrop of rising inflation and a spike in COVID-19 cases across Asia.
Dollar bides time below two-month highs before payrolls test

The dollar hovered below a two-month high versus major counterparts on Tuesday, with traders largely sidelined ahead of a closely watched U.S. jobs report, which could sway the timing of an exit from Federal Reserve stimulus.
Asian shares pressured by fears over Delta virus variant, U.S. data in focus

Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday on concerns new coronavirus outbreaks in the region could undercut an economic recovery even as robust momentum in the United States prompts the Federal Reserve to contemplate a quicker exit from accommodative policy.
Wall Street banks hike shareholder payouts after Fed gives the green light

Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo said on Monday they were hiking their capital payouts after the U.S. Federal Reserve gave them a clean bill of health following their annual “stress tests” last week.
U.S. Commerce chief urges Congress to act on chip funding by August

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Monday urged U.S. lawmakers to complete action on a $52 billion boost in government funding for semiconductor production and research before Congress leaves for its August recess.