Australian Associated PressEuropean stocks rebound after China deflation jolt
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.
Australian Associated PressAllkem in $15.7bn lithium merger with US-based Livent
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.
Australian Associated PressWall Street closes mixed amid signs of easing inflation
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.
Australian Associated PressStocks stuck, oil sags as US inflation, debt woes loom
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.
Australian Associated PressWall St closes down as focus shifts to inflation data
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.
Australian Associated PressChinese data, US debt ceiling worries push stocks down
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.
Australian Associated PressWall St slips as bleak earnings eclipse rise in banks
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.
Australian Associated PressShares rise, but US dollar sags ahead of inflation data
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.
Australian Associated PressWestpac hikes dividend as half-year profit surges
Westpac is lifting its dividends after increasing net profit 22 per cent in the six months to March 31, as the bank cut operating expenses and paid less in remediation.Australia's oldest bank on Monday announced a net profit of $4 billion and lifted its dividend 15 per cent.
Australian Associated PressWall Street ends up as US jobs data suggests strength
US stocks have closed sharply higher, with shares of Apple Inc rallying after upbeat results while US jobs data pointed to a resilient labour market.Apple's quarterly results also cheered investors worried about a potential recession.
Australian Associated PressInvestors place bets on central banks' rate decisions
Global stocks are hovering in a tight range, still on course for a weekly loss, as investors balanced bets of central banks pausing rate increases with the latest rout in shares of US regional lenders.MSCI's broad index of global equities edged 0.
Australian Associated PressANZ delivers record gains but warns of challenges ahead
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group has delivered a record first-half cash profit but CEO Shayne Elliott has tempered expectations with warnings of intense competition and rising stress from higher interest rates in the coming months.While the lender benefited from rising rates by expanding margins, it now expects the impact of a rapidly changing environment to be felt across the economy.
Australian Associated PressWall Street ends down amid US regional banks concerns
Wall Street has ended lower after PacWest's move to explore strategic options deepened fears about the health of US lenders and hit shares of regional banks as well as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo & Co and other major financial players.PacWest Bancorp tumbled 51 per cent after it confirmed it was exploring strategic options, including a sale.
Australian Associated PressRio Tinto paints a bright future in energy transition
Rio Tinto has a critical role to play in enabling the global energy transition by supplying essential minerals for the renewable technologies needed, the mining giant's shareholders have been told.Addressing the group's annual general meeting in Perth on Thursday, board chair Dominic Barton said the future of the company was "looking bright" as it marked 150 years of operation.
Australian Associated PressStocks and euro sag ahead of expected ECB rate hike
Europe's stock markets and the euro sagged on Thursday as investors waited for another European Central Bank rate rise after the US Federal Reserve signalled that its marathon hiking run may finally have gone far enough.Another rout in regional US bank shares had hardly helped the spirits, but with gold a whisker away from a record high and oil bouncing after a tough few days, focus was naturally on Frankfurt.
Australian Associated PressNAB shares slide despite profit lift
National Australia Bank has lifted first-half earnings and interim dividend on the back of higher interest rates and increased lending in its business and institutional segment.The earnings came below market expectations, prompting a slide in its share price as investors accounted for a toughening growth outlook amid rising interest rates.
Australian Associated PressWall Street ends down after Fed chair comments
US stocks have ended lower, reversing gains after comments by Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell left investors wondering what the US central bank's next move would be with interest rate hikes.Indexes initially held onto gains following the Fed's statement.