BLOOMBERG  US employment costs accelerated by more than forecast at the start of the year, underscoring persistent inflationary pressures that will keep the Federal Reserve on track for another interest-rate hike next week. The employment cost index, a broad gauge of wages and benefits, increased 1.2% in the first quarter, according to Labor Department figures. It was the first quarterly …

BLOOMBERG  Intel Corp shares jumped after the embattled chipmaker promised a recovery in the second half, leading investors to look past a disappointing profit-margin forecast in the current quarter. The company predicted that gross margins — a closely watched measure — would begin to widen again in the back half of 2023. Intel is returning to full manufacturing capacity, and …

BLOOMBERG US equity futures retreated as a rally in tech stocks lost steam and persistent inflationary pressures cemented expectations for higher rates in the US and Europe. Treasuries advanced. Contracts on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 slipped as Amazon.com Inc’s warning after the market close on growth in its key cloud computing business soured the mood. Treasuries recouped …