Europe's stock markets, the dollar and oil have all had a spring back in their step as a deflationary jolt from China made way for broader optimism ahead of what was set to be the Bank of England's 12th straight rate rise.Hopes that the US Federal Reserve's aggressive hiking cycle might be over at least were still feeding through following inflation data there on Wednesday, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index up 0.
One of the ASX's biggest lithium producers has agreed to a $15 billion merger of equals with a US counterpart, amid rising demand for the vital component in electric vehicle batteries.Brisbane-headquartered Allkem, which is focused on lithium production in Argentina, said on Thursday it had agreed to an all-stock merger with the New York Stock Exchange-listed Livent.
The Nasdaq has ended at its highest intraday level in more than eight months, boosted by a slightly lower than expected increase in April inflation and Alphabet Inc's latest artificial intelligence rollout.The Labor Department's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.
Stocks have been lethargic and oil has slid ahead of United States consumer price data that could damage hopes for interest rate cuts later this year, while President Joe Biden's failure to break a deadlock on the debt ceiling has also dampened markets.Europe's benchmark STOXX index fell 0.
US stock indexes have closed lower as investors grow more cautious ahead of a US consumer price index report and a meeting between US political leaders to discuss the debt ceiling.Investors will look for clues on whether inflation is continuing to ease following the Labor Department's consumer price index (CPI) report on Wednesday.
Share markets have dipped as traders are kept on edge by weak Chinese trade data and the impasse over the US debt ceiling, which has also caused a sharp sell-off in short-dated US Treasury bills.Crucial US inflation data due on Wednesday that could cause a change in current market pricing for US rate cuts later in the year was top of investors' minds as well.
US stocks have paused after a strong rally in the prior session as investors shift focus to a key inflation reading later this week.For most of the day, stocks struggled for direction amid disappointing earnings from Tyson Foods and Catalent and a short-lived rebound in regional banks.
Global shares have edged up in light trading ahead of US inflation data this week that could prove instrumental in setting expectations for the outlook for monetary policy.The dollar came under pressure as a deadline for lawmakers to resolve a stand-off over the US government's borrowing limit drew ever closer.