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.
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.
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.