London, United Kingdom | AFP | European stock markets rallied on Wednesday after a mixed session in Asia, as analysts warned of potential economic fallout from political gridlock in the United States triggered by the country’s midterm elections result. The dollar slid against main rivals, with the pound boosted also …
Read More »Bitcoin drops below $6,200 for first time in three months
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Bitcoin plunged 20 percent to a three-month low on Tuesday, its latest sharp loss following a series of setbacks for the cryptocurrency that, with a collapse across global mainstream markets adding to the selling. The virtual currency fell to $6,190 for the first time since mid-November, …
Read More »Dollar losses mount as investors spooked by Mnuchin comments
Hong Kong, China | AFP | The dollar took another beating on Thursday after two of Donald Trump’s top cabinet members talked down the currency and hinted at a more belligerent trade policy. The sell-off in the greenback especially hit exporters on Japan’s Nikkei index, which tumbled for a second straight …
Read More »European stocks dip, bitcoin crashes below $10,000
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Europe’s major stock markets churned lower Wednesday as investors took their cue from downbeat sentiment in Asia, while Wall Street resumed its upward trend. Virtual currency bitcoin meanwhile dived, falling below $10,000 for the first time in six weeks in what one analyst called a …
Read More »COMMENT: Risk to the global economy
Why changes in broadly shared economic assumptions are potentially riskier than more dramatic events COMMENT | CHRISTOPHER SMART | One of the great mysteries of today’s global markets is their irrepressible enthusiasm, even as the world around them appears on the verge of chaos or collapse. And yet, investors may be …
Read More »Latest Dow landmark comes as Trump agenda languishes
New York, United States | AFP | The Dow hit another milestone Wednesday, ending above 22,000 points for the first time following another round of strong earnings that have overshadowed the lack of progress on President Donald Trump’s agenda. Trump himself claimed credit for the surge, noting on Twitter Tuesday that …
Read More »Euro surges as France’s Macron set for presidential win
Hong Kong, China | AFP | The euro and most stock markets surged Monday after moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of France’s presidential election and looked set to triumph in the run-off against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen next month. Investors globally had been fearful that a …
Read More »US stocks dip as Trump health vote delayed
New York, United States | AFP | US stocks dipped Thursday as the House of Representatives delayed a vote on a health care replacement bill seen as a barometer of congressional support for President Donald Trump’s agenda. Trump and Republican congressional leaders had pushed hard for the bill, which would undo …
Read More »Oil prices fall to 2017 low as US petroleum supply surges
New York, United States | AFP | Oil prices slumped to their lowest level of 2017 Wednesday following a bearish US supply report that also dented American petroleum-linked shares. The US oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, slid more than five percent to $50.28 a barrel, its lowest price since December. …
Read More »US stocks in record surge on Trump speech, Dow ends above 21,000
New York, United States | AFP | US stocks powered to fresh records Wednesday, with the Dow topping 21,000 for the first time, after President Donald Trump struck a more conciliatory note in a major address Tuesday night. All three major US equity indices smashed past highs, with the Dow …
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