Stocks

Bloomberg The euro weakened as investors watched and waited for the next big development in Spain, where Catalan separatists are planning their response after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy moved to stamp his authority on the region. Candidates for the Fed chief and the odds of US tax reform remain in focus as the dollar rose a second day. The common …

Bloomberg Oil investors are back in the ring. Hedge funds are finding betting on West Texas Intermediate crude more attractive again, with total positioning on the US benchmark increasing to the highest in almost a year. The surge comes as oil prices have held steady above $50 a barrel—a key psychological level—for about two weeks. “In general, people are more …

Bloomberg The dollar strengthened and Treasury yields rose after traders added to bets on higher US interest rates, while the S&P 500 Index climbed towards a fresh record. US equities were bolstered by IBM’s forecast for its first sales growth in five years and better-than-estimated earnings at Abbott Laboratories. Oil gained amid signs of declining US stockpiles. The Stoxx Europe …

Bloomberg The dollar gained and Treasuries slipped on speculation the next Federal Reserve chairman will be more hawkish, while growing concern about the economic impact of Catalonia’s independence movement sent the euro lower. The S&P 500 Index was little changed. Health-care stocks were among the best performers after UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Johnson & Johnson earnings beat estimates. European and …

Bloomberg The dollar strengthened and Treasuries fell after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen suggested gradual rate increases are warranted despite soft inflation. Gains in oil and copper drove a gauge of commodities to a six-month high. The S&P 500 Index rose less than 0.1 percent to a record, led by technology and media shares. Apple Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. …

Bloomberg The guardians of the world economy brushed aside soaring stock and asset prices as a threat to economic and financial stability even as some bankers warned that investors risk repeating their pre-crisis complacency. The rare turnabout in which central bankers and finance ministers expressed comfort with the level of markets—even as private-sector executives urged caution—took place in and around …

Bloomberg The euro extended gains and Spanish assets held their advance as the country’s government maintained a hard line on Catalonia’s independence bid. The dollar weakened as investors awaited minutes from the last Federal Reserve meeting. “Fed minutes could show a discussion on inflation, which the market is likely to take as dovish,” said Mark McCormick, North American head of …

Bloomberg US stocks climbed to record highs as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. led a rally in consumer shares and energy producers climbed along with oil prices. Politics remained the dominant theme in Europe as Spanish stocks declined and the euro rose before a pivotal meeting of Catalan’s regional parliament. The dollar had weakened against most major currencies as President Donald Trump’s …

Bloomberg There may be no respite for the pound after its worst weekly performance in a year. Sterling fell almost 3 percent last week, after a chaotic Conservative party conference cast the premiership of Theresa May in doubt. With political intrigue set to continue, the Brexit talks restarting and manufacturing data due, strategists anticipate another volatile week and investors in …

Bloomberg US stocks added to records as consumer-focussed shares led gains amid data showing a surge in the American services sector. The dollar and Treasuries edged lower amid speculation over a new Federal Reserve chair. The S&P 500 Index added to records for the seventh day. Carmakers, producers of household products and food retailers led gains after services industries rose …