Stocks

  AFP European stock markets rallied on Thursday, after solid gains in Asia, as the US Federal Reserve opted against lifting interest rates — but signalled action later this year. The Fed kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the sixth straight meeting, saying it needs to see a bit more sign of strength in the US economy. However, Fed …

  AFP Stocks got a boost on Wednesday after Japan’s central bank overhauled its stimulus programme as markets awaited the outcome of the Fed’s policy meeting. Wall Street opened higher, with the Dow adding 0.5 percent. Meanwhile in Europe, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index edged up 0.1 percent as the OECD slashed its growth forecast for Britain owing to the …

  AFP European and US markets drifted higher on Tuesday with dealers on tenterhooks on the first day of key monetary policy meetings for the US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan. Around 1330 GMT, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 0.7 percent compared with the close on Monday. In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 won 0.7 percent and …

  AFP Global stock markets rallied on Monday, with all eyes on central bankers ahead of key meetings in the United States and Japan later in the week. Concern that years of cheap cash could be coming to an end has roiled markets this month, with conflicting comments from top US Federal Reserve officials over the need for an interest …

  Bloomberg Amid all the hemorrhaging in dividend stocks whacked by higher bond rates, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. says investors are missing a chance in another group that usually benefits. They’re referring to the companies poised to gain the most from a rate hike, a group dominated by financial firms such as Bank of America Corp. and Bank of New …

  AFP European stock markets were mixed on Thursday, as London shares rose on hints from the Bank of England that there could be another rate cut this year. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 stocks index was up 0.2 percent in afternoon trading, as traders also reacted to better-than-expected British retail sales data. In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 index slipped …

  AFP Oil prices rebounded slightly on Thursday after tanking the previous day, but gains were capped by US stockpiles data and the prospect of rising output in Libya and Nigeria, dealers said. At about 1015 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in October was up 20 cents at $43.78 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for November …

  AFP Asian markets mostly fell on Wednesday as uncertainty over the future of central bank monetary policy weighed on buying interest while warnings of an extended oil glut sank energy firms. The region’s traders were given a rocky lead from Wall Street where all three main indexes ended more than one percent lower after a plunge in crude prices …

  AFP Indian stocks swung between gains and losses as the nation’s benchmark inflation rate eased more than estimated, reviving calls for an interest-rate cut amid a global selloff. Two shares climbed for each that dropped on the BSE 100 Index, which was little changed at 10:52 a.m. in Mumbai after changing direction at least six times. The gauge posted …

  Bloomberg Chinese stocks dropped to their lowest level in a month on the last trading day of this week amid speculation the central bank won’t add to stimulus. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.7 percent at the close. The gauge has lost 2.5 percent this week, the most since May, after plunging on Monday amid a jump in the …