Economy

BlackRock files for Nasdaq-100 fund, expanding competition with Invesco

BlackRock has filed for an exchange-traded fund that will track the Nasdaq-100, in a challenge to Invesco's dominance in a market where only a handful of funds directly follow the

Larry Gies' Madison Air targets $13.2 billion valuation in US IPO

Ventilation and filtration systems provider Madison Air Solutions said on Monday it was targeting a valuation of up to $13.2 billion in its U.S. initial

NY Fed says March supply chain pressures highest since start of 2023

Supply chain pressures heated up in March to levels last seen at the start of 2023, data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Monday.

Car site Edmunds tests a Chinese SUV, says it should worry US automakers

Popular car-shopping website Edmunds put a Chinese vehicle through a series of

Hormuz closure divides the fortunes of Middle Eastern oil states

The Strait of Hormuz's closure and the resulting surge in global oil prices have handed financial windfalls to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia,

White House says increased productivity means Fed can cut rates

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Monday that he believes a "supply shock" in the U.S. economy caused by capital spending and higher productivity from

As renaissance fairs become big business, can they retain their counterculture roots?

To what extent has the line between playful community space and commercial spectacle been blurred?

US service sector cools in March, inflation heating up amid Iran war

U.S. services sector growth slowed in March, while prices paid by businesses for inputs increased by the most in more than 13 years, an early

Oracle hires Schneider Electric's Maxson as CFO amid AI spending boom

Oracle on Monday named Hilary Maxson as its chief financial officer, tapping an executive with deep experience in infrastructure and energy as it ramps up

Latam currencies gain as markets balance Iran escalation and ceasefire chances

Most Latin American currencies advanced on Monday, while stocks were mixed after reports of progress on a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran helped revive risk

National Healthcare Properties moves closer to public markets with US IPO filing

National Healthcare Properties made public its paperwork for a U.S. initial public offering on Monday, the latest real estate investment trust looking to tap public markets this

Fed's Goolsbee, Hammack say inflation is flashing 'orange,' or worse

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee both see inflation as a far bigger problem than employment, underscoring

Investors press Amazon, Microsoft and Google on water, power use in US data centers

Ukraine missile maker targets 'game changer' air defence system by 2027

Fire Point, maker of Ukraine's Flamingo cruise missile, is in talks with European companies to launch a new air defence system by next year, a senior

LIV Golf leader says the show will go on amid reports of Saudi funding uncertainty

The CEO of LIV Golf is seeking to quell speculation about the Saudi-funded league's financial status by saying the rest of the season will go on interrupted

Nvidia acquisition of SchedMD sparks worry among AI specialists about software access

By Max A.

Venezuela's government, opposition may cooperate to safeguard US assets

Venezuela's government and its political opposition are seeking to coordinate their legal defense of the oil-rich country's United States assets, after

Oil rises in choppy trade; US, Iran rhetoric heats up

Oil prices climbed in choppy trade on Monday, as the U.S. and Iran ratcheted up their rhetoric even as the two countries are engaging in indirect talks that could lead to

US ends probe into Tesla remote driving feature after software updates

The U.S.

US-Iran talks continuing, but strikes on Saudi Arabia may derail effort, say sources

Talks between the United States and Iran were at risk of being derailed following Tehran's attacks on Saudi Arabian industrial

The Dodgers shattered MLB's spending record at $515 million in 2025, 7 times the lowest payroll

The Dodgers shattered Major League Baseball’s spending record with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax last year en route to their second straight World Series title, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner’s office, and Los Angeles is projected for the highest total again in 2026

ChatGPT maker OpenAI shifts its focus to business users amid Anthropic pressure

OpenAI executives say they will introduce a new artificial intelligence model for “high-value professional work” as the company faces heightened competition with rival Anthropic in attracting corporate customers to adopt AI assistants in their workplaces

US jobless claims fall last week as layoffs remain low despite global economic uncertainty

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining in the range of the past few years even as the war in Iran continues to threaten the global economy

White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge

By Nolan D.

US warns that buyers of Iranian oil could be hit with sanctions 

The United States on Wednesday threatened to sanction buyers of Iranian oil and said it believed China would pause such

IMF says Bank of Japan can see through inflationary shock from Iran war

The Bank of Japan can see through inflationary pressures from the war in the Middle East as any second-round effects on broader prices will be limited,

Norway's sovereign wealth fund has no plans to reduce US assets, finance minister tells FT

Norway's $2.1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's ​largest, does not intend to shed U.S. assets despite concerns over the Middle East war and mounting U.S. debt, Finance

PepsiCo's sales jump after it cuts prices

PepsiCo’s price cuts and some new products improved demand for its snacks in the first quarter

HVAC firm Madison Air raises $2.2 billion in US IPO

Indoor air systems provider Madison Air Solutions said on Wednesday it had raised $2.23 billion in the biggest U.S. initial public offering so far this year.

British carmakers seek clarity on 'Made in EU' rule as trade risks grow

The UK's automotive industry group SMMT said on Thursday carmakers need clarity now on whether Britain will count as 'Made in EU' in the European

Mark Mobius, 'Indiana Jones of emerging markets,' dies at 89

Mark Mobius, widely credited as a pioneer in emerging markets investing, died on Wednesday at the age of 89, according to a statement on his

Foreigners boost US Treasury holdings to record highs in February

Foreign holdings of Treasuries climbed to a record high in February, data showed on Wednesday, rising for a second month in a sign of strong

Brazil to count 39% of court-ordered debt inside 2027 fiscal target

Brazil's government will count 39.4% of court-ordered debt payments due in 2027 within its fiscal target, budget guidelines submitted to Congress on Wednesday showed,

Ukraine official expects US-Ukrainian investment fund to approve second project in summer

Ukraine's deputy economy minister said on Wednesday he expects the Ukraine-U.S. joint reconstruction fund to approve a second investment project, likely in the energy

Aerospace parts maker Arxis raises $1.13 billion in US IPO

Aerospace parts maker Arxis said on Wednesday it raised $1.13 billion in its U.S. initial public offering after pricing shares at $28 each.

Australia's jobless rate stays low in March but Iran war risks loom

Australian employment rose broadly in line with expectations in March, while the jobless rate stayed low, but a war-driven global energy shock could test the labour

China's Q1 GDP grows 5.0% y/y, tops market forecast

China's economy grew 5.0% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Thursday, beating analysts' expectations as policymakers brace for the fallout

South Korea, Vietnam leaders to meet in Hanoi next week, sources say

Vietnam's president To Lam is set to meet his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi next week, five people familiar with the matter said.

Elliott takes stake in Japan's Daikin, calls for higher returns

Elliott Investment Management said on Thursday it has taken a stake in Daikin and thinks the manufacturer of air conditioners should improve margins and

US Senate Republicans back Trump military sales to Israel

The U.S.

S&P Global downgrades ASX after Australian regulator finds governance, risk failures

S&P Global Ratings on Thursday lowered its issuer credit rating for the Australian Securities Exchange to "A+/A-1" from "AA-/A-1+", two weeks after a local regulator flagged

Mamdani, Hochul propose tax on New York second homes worth more than $5 million

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul proposed on Wednesday a new tax on second homes worth

Goldman Sachs rates business hit by Iran war volatility, sources say

Goldman Sachs' rates business suffered losses on some positions towards the end of the last quarter as fixed-income market volatility due to the Iran war

Pentagon approaches automakers, manufacturers to boost weapons production, WSJ reports

Senior U.S. defense officials have held talks about producing weapons and other military supplies with top executives of companies including General Motors and Ford Motor, the

Thailand central bank cuts 2026 growth, says no limits to worst-case scenarios if war continues

Thailand faces slower growth this year due to the Iran war and there are almost "no limits" to worst-case economic scenarios if the conflict continues,

Foreign investors flee Thailand as Iran war, energy shock dash hope for economic revival

Foreign investors are selling Thai assets as an energy shock from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran threatens to snuff out hopes for

More Japanese firms say no to rate hikes as Iran war clouds outlook: Reuters poll

The number of Japanese firms that do not want the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates has risen sharply since the start of the year as the Iran war

BOJ to hike rates by June as war-fuelled inflation risks mount: Reuters poll

The Bank of Japan will raise its benchmark rate to 1.00% by end-June, with nearly two-thirds of economists in a Reuters poll predicting the move, and a

European banks can withstand current shocks, watchdog head says

European lenders are resilient enough to absorb current financial and geopolitical shocks but need to prepare for future uncertainties including

Instant View: China's Q1 growth beats forecast as economy braces for fallout from Iran war

China's economy expanded 5% in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, according to official data on Thursday, surpassing analysts' expectations even as policymakers

Japan, US agree to strengthen communication on exchange rates

Japan and the U.S. agreed to strengthen communication on exchange rates, Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said after her meeting with U.S.

China's new home prices extend decline despite improvement in major cities

China's new home prices extended their decline in March, official data showed on Thursday, although major cities showed some

Chile's Kast unveils slew of reforms including corporate tax rate cut

Chile's new president, Jose Antonio Kast, unveiled on Wednesday details of a long-awaited reform package that includes cuts to the corporate tax rate,

US-sanctioned supertankers enter Gulf despite blockade

A second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite a U.S. blockade on vessels visiting

Musk's staff reaches out to suppliers for Terafab project, Bloomberg News reports

Elon Musk's staff have reached out to chip industry suppliers for his Terafab AI chip complex project with SpaceX and Tesla, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. 

ECB must be patient, even if adverse scenario may be materialising: policymaker

The euro zone economy may be moving towards the European Central Bank's adverse scenario but policymakers need to remain patient and not rush any

Malaysia's Petronas to supply excess fuel to Australia as leaders vow closer energy ties

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that state energy firm Petronas would give priority to providing Australia with its excess fuel

How surging bond yields add to Europe's fiscal headaches

European bond yields have jumped during the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, pushing up government borrowing costs and adding to the pressure on the

ECB may not have rate-hike evidence by April 30 meeting, policymaker says

The European Central Bank may not have all the data this month to determine if interest rates will have to be raised to tame an inflation surge and the June meeting

Truce trades ramp up as Trump touts Israel-Lebanon talks

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Gregor Stuart Hunter Global equities are setting new records and the dollar is down for a ninth consecutive day to its weakest levels since

Nepal panel to probe property, assets of politicians and officials

Nepal's new government, led by rapper-turned politician Balendra Shah, has set up a panel to investigate the property and assets of past and present

China to retain ultra-long special bond tenors this year, sources say

China's finance ministry will keep this year's ultra-long special treasury bond issuance to 20-, 30- and 50-year maturities, the same as last year, people with knowledge of the

Circle CEO sees 'tremendous opportunity' for yuan-backed stablecoin

Circle Internet Group sees  "tremendous opportunity" for yuan-backed stablecoin as digital money becomes increasingly integrated into

China's Q1 economic rebound faces rough seas as Iran war jolts global outlook

China's economy picked up speed early in 2026, riding an export surge before the Iran war sent energy costs soaring and put global

TSMC Q1 profit jumps 58% to record, beats expectations

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, posted a 58% jump in first-quarter net profit on Thursday, beating market forecasts and hitting a record, as it benefits from

Australia refinery fire worsens fuel supply crunch amid Iran war

A fire at the largest of Australia's two oil refineries has hit petrol production, company and government officials said

Danish Refugee Council warns 4 million more face displacement as aid drops

Over 4 million people are set to be newly displaced around the world by the end of next year as donors step back from providing life-saving aid, the Danish Refugee Council

Middle East war feeding uncertainty over Swiss economic outlook, SNB minutes show

Uncertainty over the economic outlook for Switzerland has risen due to the conflict in the Middle East and global developments pose the main risk for inflation, minutes of

Brazilian payments firm Ebanx makes Southeast Asia push

Brazilian cross-border payments company Ebanx said it is expanding global operations, with a focus on Southeast Asia, strengthening its footprint

Pernod CFO says talks with Brown-Forman are "ongoing"

Pernod Ricard's talks to merge with U.S. rival Brown-Forman are continuing, Pernod Ricard's finance chief said on Thursday.

Bank of England's Bailey says 'not going to rush' judgements on rate rises, BBC reports

The Bank of England was "not going to rush to judgements" on interest rate rises, Governor Andrew Bailey told BBC News, as global central banks contend with an energy

EQT restarts sale of contact lens maker Ginko in at least $1 billion deal, sources say

Private equity firm EQT is restarting the sale process for the mainland Chinese business of contact lens maker Ginko International, targeting a valuation of

Japan sees private credit as a policy pillar despite overseas market turmoil

Japan's financial regulator sees private credit as a potential key pillar of its new strategy to meet rising corporate funding demand

German banks examine risks of Anthropic's Mythos with authorities

German banks and national authorities are examining risks around Anthropic's new artificial intelligence model, an official said on Thursday, amid concerns

US judge rejects Trump administration bid to block Hawaii climate lawsuit

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit seeking to stop Hawaii from suing fossil fuel companies in state court over climate change,

Dollar steady as traders weigh escalating Iran war against ceasefire hopes

The U.S. dollar was steady on Monday, while the yen flirted with the crucial 160 per dollar level, as investors took stock of the escalating Iran war, with

US dollar climbs on technical rally; prospect for US-Iran peace deal in focus

The U.S. dollar rose against major currencies on Thursday, retracing some of its recent losses on

European shares muted with Middle East developments, corporate results in focus

European shares were little changed on Thursday as markets weighed progress toward a potential resolution to the Middle East conflict, while

Peruvian markets stumble as Castillo-backed leftist gains ground

Peruvian markets have reacted nervously as left-wing congressman Roberto Sanchez gains ground in a tight presidential race, reigniting

South Korean President Lee to make state visits to India and Vietnam

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to India, the first by a South Korean leader in eight years, before heading to Vietnam, a presidential adviser

UK economy surged ahead of Iran war, but energy shock to test resilience

Britain's economy put on a burst of growth in February, suggesting it was in slightly better shape before the start of the Iran war than many economists had

Stocks choppy, oil rises as doubts persist about US-Iran peace deal

Trading on Wall Street exchanges was choppy on Thursday after stocks reached levels last seen before the selloff driven by U.S.-

Can Iran legally impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran has sought to tighten its grip over the Strait of Hormuz by charging tolls on vessels to ensure safe passage, in conjunction with Iran's Islamic

New Jersey voters decide who will fill Mikie Sherrill’s House seat

By Nolan D.

Hedge funds on track for best monthly returns in over a decade, Goldman says

Hedge funds are on track for their best monthly performance in more than

Samsung asks court to block illegal strike activities by unions

Samsung Electronics asked a court on Thursday to block its South Korean labour unions engaging in illegal activities during strike, a spokesperson said, as a wage dispute

German car buyers keen on Chinese EV maker BYD in first quarter, data shows

Chinese car brands such as BYD are gaining traction among German consumers who are increasingly looking to buy electric cars amid rising

Relaxation of US day-trading rules opens door to YOLO trading, higher risk

A regulatory move allowing smaller, everyday investors to engage in more day trading

Fed leadership transition on shaky ground as clock ticks on Powell's term

The prospect of a smooth-and-on-time transition to U.S.

US ESG shareholder resolutions plunge in face of Republican pressure, report says

Shareholders have filed 184 proposals promoting environmental, social and governance themes at U.S. companies so far this proxy season, a new study found, about

US will punish fraud and insider trading, derivatives regulator tells Congress

Washington's top derivatives regulator on Thursday sought to reassure lawmakers the U.S. will punish fraud as concern mounts on Capitol Hill that

Pernod Ricard says Iran war to hit full-year sales despite Q3 pickup

Pernod Ricard warned on Thursday that full-year net sales will fall due to a decline in tourism in the Middle East amid the Iran war, even as it

Boeing hiring more than 100 factory workers a week to grow output, replace retirees

Boeing is hiring around 100 to 140 factory workers a week, the highest pace since 2024, as the U.S. jetmaker replaces retirees and

Wall Street bank earnings in five charts as volatile markets take center stage

Major U.S. banks delivered a split picture this week, as Middle East-linked market volatility lifted trading in the first quarter but clouded dealmaking prospects.

Brazil's Lula assails Trump threats, says leaders should seek respect

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivered a blunt critique of U.S.

Trump tries economic reset as Republicans fret over high gas prices  

U.S.

Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX

Last August, U.S. Navy officials carrying out a test of unmanned vessels realized they had hit a single point of failure: Starlink.

BNY's profit rises on strong fees, interest income growth​

BNY reported a rise in first-quarter profit on Thursday, as the world's largest custodian bank was helped by strong fee income and higher values

Google should allow third-party search engines access to data, EU says

The European Commission has proposed that Google allow third-party search engines to access its search data, including that of artificial intelligence chatbots with

Iran war brings US close to net crude exporter for first time since World War Two

The U.S. nearly turned into a net crude exporter last week for the first time since World War Two as shipments surged close to

TSMC lifts revenue forecast, pledges more capital spending to meet AI chip demand

TSMC raised its annual revenue forecast on Thursday and said it was stepping up capital spending this year as the world's

Strong ASML, TSMC forecasts signal AI spending boom is intact

Strong forecasts from ASML and TSMC this week point to another quarter of hefty spending by American cloud-computing giants as they race

Six-week roundtrip

What matters in U.S. and global markets today By Mike Dolan, Editor-at-Large, Finance and Markets After a dreary, war-filled six weeks, global stocks are once again

Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree on ceasefire, optimism grows on ending Iran war

U.S.

Kering CEO pledges to double profit margins and revive Gucci brand​

Kering CEO Luca de Meo pledged to more than double the luxury group's operating profit margin and boost the appeal of its flagship brand Gucci

Travelers profit rises on stronger underwriting, lower catastrophe losses

Property and casualty insurance giant Travelers reported a jump in first-quarter profit, buoyed by robust underwriting gains and lower catastrophe losses than a

S&P 500, Nasdaq hit intraday records as Mideast hopes lift sentiment

The benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq touched intraday record highs on Thursday as optimism surrounding a ceasefire between Israel and

PepsiCo's bet on price cuts, brand refreshes pays off; flags Iran war cost risks

PepsiCo's price cuts for salty snacks in the U.S. and resilient demand for diet sodas helped it top Wall Street estimates, providing a buffer against growing

Bulgaria's pro-Russian former president leads election race on anti-graft ticket

In a grassy valley in rural southern Bulgaria, farmer Nikolay Vasiliev is desperate for change.

Oil prices rise on doubts US-Iran peace talks will ease Hormuz disruption

Oil prices rose on Thursday as the market questioned whether peace talks between the U.S. and Iran would resolve disruptions to Middle

JPMorgan's Dimon warns Iran war may drive inflation and interest rates higher

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned on Monday that the war in Iran risks oil and commodity price shocks that could keep inflation sticky and push

US to raise Medicare Advantage payments to insurers by 2.48% in 2027, insurance stocks surge

The U.S. government said on Monday it would raise payments to private insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans to older adults in 2027 by

OpenAI urges California, Delaware to investigate Musk's 'anti-competitive behavior’

OpenAI urged the California and Delaware attorneys general to consider investigating Elon Musk and his associates' "improper and anti-competitive behavior", ahead of a trial

Brazil's free cooking gas program threatened by energy price spike ahead of election

Surging energy prices could scupper a popular Brazilian program that provides free cooking gas to around 50 million people,

Trump proposes to cut 9,400 TSA workers, $1.5 billion from budget

The White House is proposing to cut more than 9,400 workers and just over $1.5 billion from the 60,000-employee Transportation Security

Equities gain, oil settles higher as investors watch US-Iran standoff

U.S. equity indexes closed modestly higher and U.S. oil futures settled above $112 per barrel on Monday as investors

FAA proposes to hire 2,300 air traffic controllers in budget request

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is proposing to hire 2,300 air traffic controller trainees as it works to address a persistent

Japan February household spending falls 1.8% year-on-year

Japanese household spending in February fell 1.8% from a year earlier, internal affairs ministry data showed on Tuesday, versus the median market forecast for a 0.7% fall.

UN expected to vote on watered-down Hormuz resolution on Tuesday

The U.N.

Air NZ hikes fares, cuts flights as fuel costs more than double on Iran war

Air New Zealand said on Tuesday it would slash flights across May and June as well as hike fares, as the Iran war disrupts global air travel and sends jet fuel costs higher.

Broadcom signs long-term deal to develop Google’s custom AI chips

Broadcom said on Monday it has signed a long-term agreement with Google to develop and supply future generations of custom artificial intelligence chips and other components for

Trump's shipping waiver does not boost oil flows within US; fuel exports soar

U.S.

Phillips 66 faces $900 million loss as Iran crisis lifts oil prices

U.S. refiner Phillips 66 said on Monday its first-quarter results were hit by a sharp increase in commodity prices, leaving it with nearly $900 million in

US crude premiums climb to record levels as Asia, Europe compete for supply

Spot premiums for U.S.

China's Xi urges faster development of new energy system as Middle East war continues

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for accelerated planning and construction of a new energy system to safeguard the country's

Wall St ends higher as investors parse US-Iran negotiations, threats

U.S. stocks advanced on Monday as investors looked for signs of progress toward a U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal and evaluated President Donald Trump's

A breakthrough deal or a crude awakening?

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee: Markets are holding their collective breath as optimism over a possible deal to open the Strait of Hormuz clashes with the

Iran rejects ceasefire as Trump ramps up threats ahead of deadline

Iran said on Monday it wanted a lasting end to the war with the U.S. and Israel, and pushed back against pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S.

Chinese pigs fed new menu as Beijing weans farmers off US soy

At the edge of one of the many pig farms spread across the vast, unbroken floodplains of Taizhou, a two-hour drive northwest of

China targets Taiwan's chip prowess to evade global 'containment', Taipei government says

China is targeting Taiwan to obtain its advanced chip manufacturing technology and talent as a way of breaking through international "containment" of the country, according

Vietnam's top leader To Lam consolidates power, gets China-style mandate

Vietnam's lawmakers unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state president for the

Democrats see a chance to win back Latino voters in southern Florida

Republicans’ longstanding support among voters of Cuban and Venezuelan descent in South Florida, a cornerstone of the party’s regional success over the

South Africa private sector returns to growth but Iran war clouds outlook, PMI shows

South Africa's private sector returned to growth in March as faster output and hiring outweighed a slump in export orders and business confidence linked to the U.S.-

Samsung flags eightfold jump in quarterly profit as AI chip demand pumps prices

Samsung Electronics on Tuesday projected its first-quarter earnings would exceed its entire profit for last year, beating expectations as

Iraq could restore oil exports to pre-war level within a week if Hormuz reopens, Basra Oil chief says

Iraq could restore crude oil exports to around 3.4 million barrels per day within a week provided the Iran war ends and the Strait of Hormuz reopens,

Spain services sector grows but costs soar, confidence weakens amid war, PMI shows

Spain's services sector expanded faster in March but demand softened, costs rose at the fastest pace in nearly three years and confidence weakened amid the war in the

LG Energy Solution flags Q1 operating loss on weak EV demand

South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES) said on Tuesday it expects to post a first-quarter operating loss of 208 billion won ($138.16 million), as weaker demand

SpaceX lays out IPO details, targets early June roadshow, sources say

SpaceX outlined details of its highly anticipated IPO at a meeting with its team of bankers Monday night, telling them it plans to earmark a large portion of

Italy service sector contracts for first time in 16 months, survey shows

Italy's service sector contracted in March for the first time in 16 months, a business survey showed on Tuesday, as domestic and foreign demand declined and costs surged in

Vietnam's top leader To Lam wins state presidency, gets China-style mandate

Vietnam's lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state

Kenya private sector activity shrinks for first time since August 2025

Kenya's private sector activity contracted in March for the first time since August, partly due to the war in the Middle East, with only the wholesale and retail sectors

German service sector growth slows to seven-month low, PMI shows

Business activity growth in Germany's service sector abruptly lost momentum in March as demand weakened amid fallout from the war in the Middle East, a survey showed on

Euro zone growth slows to nine-month low on surging costs, PMI shows

The euro zone's private sector expansion weakened sharply in March as the Middle East war drove up energy costs and disrupted supply chains, with overall demand - a key

Deal, delay or strike? Investors on edge as Trump's Iran deadline nears

Global markets have entered a period of heightened uncertainty ahead of a deadline set by U.S.

IEA chief: current oil and gas crisis worse than 1973, 1979, 2022 together

The current oil and gas crisis triggered by the blockade of the Strait of

France's services sector contracts in March as Middle East war hits demand, PMI shows

France's services sector contracted further in March as client spending weakened due to the war in the Middle East and caution among businesses in the run-up to last month's

Vietnam's top leader To Lam expands power, new PM elected

Vietnam's lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state

Japan sees weakening economic momentum, early signs of war-induced pain

An index measuring the health of Japan's economy slid in February, government data showed on Tuesday, highlighting a soft spot in the economy even before it

Depressed tech valuations could offer entry point for investors, Goldman Sachs says

Technology stocks, including those from the United States, are looking cheap following a prolonged period of underperformance, creating a potential entry point for investors,

Toronto home sales snap losing streak as lower prices entice buyers

Greater Toronto Area home sales rose for the first time in six months in March in a sign that reduced prices have lured more homebuyers into the market,

UK services firms report surge in costs, fading optimism as Iran war takes toll

Businesses in Britain's services sector reported the biggest month-on-month jump in costs in March since 2021, driven by higher energy and transportation

India's RBI seen looking past muted overnight rates, avoid liquidity drain, bankers say

India's central bank is likely to allow overnight interbank rates to stay near the floor of the policy corridor for longer and refrain from draining

Middle East war means 'all roads' lead to higher prices, slower growth, IMF chief says

The war in the Middle East will lead to higher inflation and slower global growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund told Reuters on Monday,

Airline pilots must be given final say on flying in war zones, aviators' group says

Pilots must be given a "final and non-negotiable" say allowing them to refuse to fly over or within conflict zones without influence from commercial

UBS lowers 2026 S&P 500 target on Middle East conflict risks

April 7 - UBS Global Wealth Management trimmed its S&P 500 index target for 2026, pointing to sustained higher oil prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict that could pressure U.S. economic growth

Final countdown?

What matters in U.S. and global markets today By Anna Szymanski, Editor-in-Charge, Reuters Open Interest Markets are once again held in suspense as traders count

Some firms in Saudi extend work from home ahead of Iran ultimatum

Some Western and Saudi firms in Riyadh have extended work-from-home advisories this week, five people familiar with the matter said, amid concern over a looming U.S.-imposed

Iran sets preconditions for talks on lasting peace with U.S., senior official tells Reuters

Iran has set preconditions for talks on a lasting peace with the United States, a senior official told Reuters on Tuesday, including an immediate halt to strikes, guarantees

ASML shares fall on US Congress plan to further restrict China exports

Shares of computer chip equipment maker ASML dipped on Tuesday, the first trading day after U.S. lawmakers last week proposed a law that could further restrict the

Fed's Williams says Middle East war will drive up inflation - Bloomberg

By Michael S.

Puig, Estee Lauder founding families to meet for combination talks, source says

The founding families of the Spanish firm Puig, which owns such brands as Rabanne and Nina Ricci, and U.S. cosmetics giant Estee Lauder will meet this week in New York to

Wall St opens lower ahead of Trump's Iran deadline

Wall Street's main indexes opened lower open on Tuesday as investors assessed comments from the U.S. and Iran for any clues on where the conflict was headed, before President

Deere settles US right-to-repair lawsuit with $99 million fund, repair commitments

U.S. agriculture equipment maker Deere on Monday agreed to pay $99 million into a settlement fund for farms and farmers that are part of a class action over costs and access to

Oil surges on US blockade of Iran

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom Westbrook Oil futures jumped back over $100 at the open in Asia on Monday, the dollar fell and stocks were down as U.S.-Iran talks

Novo Nordisk launches higher-dose Wegovy in the United States

Novo Nordisk said on Tuesday that it has made a higher-dose version of its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy available across the United States.

Russia says Middle East war disruption opens up new trade opportunities

Global supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East have opened up new trade opportunities for Russia, but price stability in the domestic market remains a

Philippine central bank warns of oil spike 'spillover effects' as inflation breaches target

The Philippines’ central bank warned on Tuesday of 'spillover effects' on consumer prices from sharp oil price increases, after the

US business spending on equipment on solid ground before Iran war

New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods increased more than expected in February while shipments of those products rose solidly, suggesting

Vape makers turn to 'Made in America' credentials amid Trump's tariffs, crackdown

The U.S. vaping market, long dominated by Chinese imports, is seeing an uptick of "Made in America" products, in what some analysts and industry executives

Heads of IEA, IMF, World Bank to meet next Monday to discuss energy crisis

The leaders of the International Energy Agency, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank will discuss the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war next Monday, IEA

Lebanon heads to historic Israel talks with few hopes except to staunch bloodshed

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has called for historic direct talks with longtime foe Israel since war erupted a month ago - a month in

Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, IRGC says

Iran on Tuesday attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, the heart of the kingdom's downstream sector, its Revolutionary Guards said, the latest evidence of Tehran's

Chile's peso leads LatAm FX losses as Mideast tensions pressure regional assets

Chile's peso, the worst-performing Latin American currency since the Middle East conflict began, led losses among regional currencies on Tuesday despite the

US lawmakers press Bessent on LNG ships that are taking tax credit

A group of Democratic U.S. senators on Tuesday pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on whether enormous tankers that ship liquefied natural gas

NY Fed March survey finds jump in near-term inflation expectations 

By Michael S.

Blockbuster SpaceX listing could suck the oxygen out of fragile IPO market

As Elon Musk's SpaceX closes in on a $75 billion IPO that could rewrite record books, concerns are mounting that others looking to list in 2026 may find it harder to

Key quotes from Vance and Orban's news conference

U.S.

Hot money increasingly dominates emerging markets financing, raising risks, IMF says

Emerging market nations now get the bulk of their foreign financing from the likes of hedge funds, pension funds and insurers, leaving them vulnerable to

India weighs austerity steps, sees no immediate risk to FY27 deficit goal, sources say

India

World Bank says Nigerian economy to grow in 2026 but Iran war lifts inflation

Nigeria's economy is resilient and set to grow in the first half of 2026 despite the Iran war, the World Bank said on

Ukraine lawmakers inch forward with IMF-linked bill for strained budget

Ukraine's parliament passed one of a handful of tax laws on Tuesday as part of reforms required by the International Monetary Fund, lawmakers said, with more

European shares decline as markets turn wary ahead of Trump's Iran deadline

European shares retreated on Tuesday, led by declines in defence and healthcare stocks, as investors turned cautious ahead of U.S.

Bourbon demand is down and tariffs aren't helping. But distillers keep building

Like many whiskey distillers, Heaven Hill Brands is rolling back bourbon production this year, as demand lags.

Can Iran charge fees for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran wants to charge fees for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as part of its proposals to end the war with Israel and the United States after blocking most traffic

USTR Greer says US-Mexico-Canada pact talks may run past July 1 deadline

The Trump administration will try to resolve as many problems with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement as it can before July 1, but negotiations to rebalance the

Intel joins Musk's Terafab AI chip project to power humanoid, data center goals

Intel said on Tuesday it will join Elon Musk's Terafab AI chip complex project with SpaceX and Tesla to make processors powering the tech billionaire's

World Bank's Banga sees some degree of lower growth, higher inflation due to war

World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Tuesday the war in the Middle East would result in some degree of slower growth in the global economy and

Energy facilities and shipping hit during US-Israeli war on Iran

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf neighbours have damaged major energy facilities and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which

Fed's Williams: FOMC leadership not in question amid slow Warsh confirmation

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said on Tuesday that U.S.

Moody's cuts outlook on US BDCs to 'negative' on redemption pressure, rising leverage

Moody's Ratings on Tuesday revised its outlook on U.S. business development companies (BDCs) to negative from stable, citing rising redemption

Pakistan seeks two-week ceasefire, extension to Trump's deadline on Iran

Pakistan, a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, on Wednesday requested that U.S.

Goolsbee says stagflationary shock of Iran war puts Fed in a bind

Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Austan Goolsbee said on Tuesday he is worried that the Iran war will drive inflation higher even as it slows the U.S. economy, putting the

Amazon strikes deal with USPS that maintains 80% of package volume

Amazon.com on Monday announced it reached a new agreement with the U.S.

Apple's foldable iPhone faces engineering snags, potential shipment delays, Nikkei Asia reports

Apple has been encountering setbacks in the engineering test phase of its first foldable iPhone, which could lead to delays in its mass production and product shipment schedule,

Bayer US head says tariffs will not affect its 2026 forecasts

A top Bayer AG executive said on Tuesday the German drugmaking and crop science company saw no need to adjust its 2026 forecasts because of tariffs on

Health insurers rise after US lifts 2027 Medicare Advantage payment rates

Shares of U.S. health insurers climbed on Tuesday after the government set Medicare Advantage payment rates above expectations, an increase that would result in

‘Everything will fall apart’: Republicans confront how to shift midterm strategy amid Iran war

‘Everything will fall apart’: Republicans confront how to shift midterm strategy amid Iran war

PIMCO weighs $14 billion debt deal for Oracle's Michigan data center, Bloomberg News reports

Pacific Investment Management Co. is in talks with the Bank of America to help provide roughly $14 billion of debt financing to build an Oracle data center in Michigan, Bloomberg

Brent settles down on economic worries, US crude up ahead of Trump deadline for Iran

Oil prices settled mixed on Tuesday, with Brent down on worries that high energy prices could slow economic growth, while U.S. crude closed at its

US short-term credit market shows early signs of stress as Iran war persists

A prolonged war in the Middle East is starting to ripple into U.S. short-term credit markets, where subtle strains are emerging that could

Reform UK threatens to deny visas to citizens of countries demanding reparations

Nigel Farage's Reform UK said on Tuesday it was proposing to deny visas to people from countries seeking amends for transatlantic slavery, a move swiftly

Physical oil prices hit record highs near $150 a barrel as Hormuz crisis worsens

By Alex Lawler LONDON, April 7 - European and Asian refiners are paying record high prices of near $150 a barrel for some crude oil grades, far exceeding prices for paper futures, highlighting the

Dollar holds firm ahead of Trump's Iran deadline

The U.S. dollar traded close to its highest levels in almost 11 months on Tuesday with investors pausing ahead of a U.S.-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the

Mexico's headline inflation likely sped up in March while core index declined: Reuters poll

Mexico's headline inflation likely accelerated in March for the third straight month while core inflation likely declined, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday, backing

Taiwan's chipmaker TSMC reports 58% jump in profit, warns about Iran war impacts

Taiwan’s chipmaker TSMC has reported a 58% jump in profit for the January-March quarter thanks to strong demand driven by the artificial intelligence boom even as the Iran war was driving up costs

US transportation secretary sees room for airline mergers

U.S.

Hyundai resuming new Palisade SUV sales after finalizing fix

Hyundai Motor said on Tuesday it is lifting a halt on sales of recalled 2026 Palisade SUVs after finalizing a fix for a power seat issue that

A New Jersey special election could soon narrow the House GOP’s razor-thin majority

A New Jersey special election could soon narrow the House GOP’s razor-thin majority

Modi is pushing to get more women into India's Parliament. That could have other consequences

India’s Parliament has opened debate on a landmark bill to reserve one-third of seats for women, a reform that could also trigger a sweeping redrawing of electoral boundaries and heighten political tensions

Australia boosts military spending as Iran war makes global impact

Australia's defense minster says the Iran war had greatly complicated the global strategic landscape and the country is significantly increasing its military spending

China says its economy is accelerating despite Iran war turmoil – for now

China says its economy is accelerating despite Iran war turmoil – for now

Ticketmaster and Live Nation hold illegal monopolies, US jury finds

Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation illegally monopolized U.S. live event markets, a New York jury found on Wednesday, after a trial on the company's

Could more cattle cause record beef prices to drop? Ranchers say it's not that simple

It’s never been so expensive for Americans to buy a steak or hamburger, but cutting those costs requires ranchers to raise more cattle, and that’s not an easy ask

China's economy grows at 5% in first quarter, shrugging off initial impact of Iran war

China’s economy accelerated in the first quarter of this year, expanding 5% from a year earlier as it largely shrugged off impacts from the Iran war so far

How Trump’s repeated efforts to fire Federal Reserve Chair Powell harm the economy – and make battling inflation harder

Politicians have long coveted control over monetary policy. Good economic governance requires that they don’t get it.

Trump to promote tax breaks in Las Vegas, where residents feel the pinch of high gas prices

President Donald Trump heads to Las Vegas to promote the tax cuts he signed into law last year, part of a push to focus on economic issues ahead of this year’s elections

The 'becoming Chinese' meme shows China's soft power moment is here

Young Western social media users are embracing a “very Chinese time” of their lives, and China’s government is keen to use this moment to boost the country’s cultural influence worldwide

Jury finds that Ticketmaster and Live Nation had an anticompetitive monopoly over big concert venues

A jury has found that concert giant Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary engaged in an anticompetitive monopoly

New York City apartment building workers authorize a possible strike as contract talks stall

Thousands of New York City apartment building doorpersons, superintendents and other workers have approved a potential strike in the coming days

Arizona utility agrees not to cut off power for nonpayment when it’s 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above

Arizona’s largest utility has agreed not to cut off electrical service to customers for nonpayment while forecasted high temperatures are 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or above

Pakistani delegation meets in Tehran hoping for more US-Iran talks before ceasefire ends

Pakistan’s army chief is meeting with Iranian officials for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the region and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran

White House denies U.S. requested ceasefire, says new talks may happen in Pakistan

Reports that the White House has requested a ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday but added that

White House has no opinion on potential United Airlines deal for American Airlines

The Trump administration does not have an opinion on reports that United Airlines was considering merging with rival American Airlines, White House press secretary

Iran proposes letting ships exit safely through Oman side of Hormuz, source says

Iran could let ships sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack under proposals it has offered in

Oil prices steady as Hormuz shipping constraints counter US-Iran peace hopes

Oil prices held steady on Wednesday as ongoing worries about supply disruptions offset comments by U.S.

Sovereign borrowers launch platform to amplify voice in debt talks

A group of officials from developing economies launched on Wednesday the Borrowers' Platform, an effort backed by the United Nations to give

NY jury finds Live Nation illegally monopolized ticketing markets, Bloomberg News reports

Live Nation illegally monopolized ticketing markets, a New York federal jury found Wednesday, Bloomberg News reported.

European buyers hold talks to ship Canadian LNG via Panama Canal to diversify supply

European buyers, including Germany's Uniper, are exploring the possibility of purchasing liquefied natural gas from Canada's Pacific coast and

Fed's Musalem says oil shock likely to keep core inflation near 3%, rates on hold for some time

High oil prices are likely to keep underlying inflation nearly a percentage point above the Federal Reserve's 2% target for the rest of this year, with the U.S.

Bessent supports IMF quota revamp, wants World Bank financing for critical minerals

U.S.

Trump threatens to fire Powell if he doesn't quit Fed board; ongoing probe clouds Warsh confirmation

President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from his separate seat on the U.S. central bank's Board

Permian-focused EagleRock plans rare US oil and gas IPO, sources say

EagleRock, a company that collects royalties and fees from oil and gas production on the land it controls in the Permian Basin, is

Jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as a monopoly and overcharged fans

Jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as a monopoly and overcharged fans

World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to tackle global water stress

The World Bank and other top development lenders launched a new global initiative dubbed Water Forward on Wednesday, aimed at improving secure water access for a billion

US probes suspicious oil trades made before Trump Iran pivots, source says

The U.S.

Iran war puts US companies in wait-and-see mode, Fed report says

U.S. businesses and households still adjusting to the Trump administration's tariff policies also are reeling from a surge in energy prices due to the Iran war, a

Instant View: S&P 500, Nasdaq notch fresh records, casting aside war fears

U.S. stock indexes returned to new highs on Wednesday, putting fears of economic disruption driven by the war with Iran in the rearview mirror.

Ford's advanced EV-and-tech chief to leave the company 

Doug Field, a Tesla and Apple veteran who has led Ford Motor's electric-vehicle and technology efforts for nearly five years, is leaving the automaker. 

Madison Air raises $2.2 billion in US IPO

Indoor air systems provider Madison Air Solutions said on Wednesday it had raised $2.23 billion in its U.S. initial public offering.

Trading Day: S&P 500, Nasdaq nab all-time closing highs, buoyed by Middle East optimism

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both logged record closing highs on Wednesday as investors assessed developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict and turned their

Nasdaq sets record highs as investors return to tech stocks

The Nasdaq hit an intraday all-time high and closing record on Wednesday, its first since October, as investors returned to technology stocks, signaling a rebound in risk appetite

Nuclear reactor developer X‑Energy targets $7.5 billion valuation in US IPO

Amazon-backed X-Energy is targeting a valuation of up to $7.51 billion in its initial public offering in the United States, the nuclear reactor developer said on

Brazil central bank's caution has paid off amid rising uncertainties, director says

The approach currently adopted by Brazil's central bank of operating with caution amid rising uncertainties, which includes the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, has paid off,

Trump-backed World Liberty Financial's early investors won’t be able to fully cash out until after Trump’s term

World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture co-founded by President Trump and his sons, released a new proposal

ECB in 'relatively favorable' policy position, Schnabel says

The European Central Bank is in a "relatively favorable" position on monetary policy after having successfully brought down inflation to 2% before the

Sazerac bids $15 billion for Jack Daniel's maker Brown-Forman, source says

U.S. spirits group Sazerac has offered to buy Brown-Forman for about $15 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, complicating Pernod

US optimistic of deal with Iran as it increases economic pressure

The Trump administration expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a deal to end the war

Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Claus, authorities say

Federal authorities say a SantaCon charity fundraiser that flooded New York City with inebriated young people in red and white Santa costumes every holiday season was a con

Iran war may boost inflation, but not expectations, per Dallas Fed research

An extended disruption of the world's oil trade from the Iran war could lift headline U.S. inflation to well over 4% by year-end, with even bigger increases possible