Market Pulse - Currencies
Euro area February goods trade surplus shows peak growth now past
The single currency bloc's trade surplus with the rest of the world widened in February, but only because imports fell more quickly than exports.
Trump considers rejoining TPP if presented 'better' terms
Donald Trump directed officials to look into the possibility of rejoining the very same Asia-Pacific trade pact he withdrew from after taking office, while expressing optimism over a deal with China.
Bitcoin unexpectedly climbs over $8,000 on Thursday
Bitcoin climbed back atop the $8,000 mark early on Thursday morning, running up by double digits in a less than 30 minute time span. It is currently up 11. 17% trading at $7,724.
Xi Speech - Analysts react
"Xi's goal appears to have been twofold. First, portray China as a responsible actor and defender of globalism and free trade. Second, convince foreign firms and governments that China is entering a "new phase of opening up". Neither of these narratives are entirely convincing. It is true that Trump sparked the latest flare up in trade tensions. But the broader backdrop is that despite gradually opening up in recent decades, China retains much higher tariffs barriers than both the US and EU.
Russian rouble sinks to 52-week low
The slide in Russia's currency was extending into its second day on Thursday afternoon in the wake of the most recent set of US sanctions.
Talks between China and the US broke down last week, person says
Talks between China and the US to resolve Washington's concerns about Beijing's practices on foreign trade fell apart last week, according to Bloomberg News.
Russian stocks hammered as US unveils sanctions
Washington decided at the weekend to take aim at several publicly-traded Russian companies in protest over the Moscow's actions for the first time, sending their shares crashing and a key gauge of the country's stocks to its biggest drop in just over four years.
North Korea willing to discuss wind down of nuclear weapons programme
North Korea has informed the United States that it is prepared to discuss denuclearisation when the country’s leader Kim Jong-un meets President Trump, a US official said on Sunday.
China will reduce trade barriers, Trump says
China will reduce its trade barriers "because it is the right thing to do", the US president said.
There is a 'level of risk' of a full-scale trade War, US's Mnuchin says
There is a risk that America and China might fall into a trade war, according to US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
Week ahead: China, US CPI in focus
The market spotlight is set to shift towards China over the coming week, although over the coming weekend investors might do well to keep an eye out for any remarks from Washington as well.
Beijing threatens to retaliate, says talks not possible
China stands ready to retaliate to any new measures from Washington on trade, a spokesman for Beijing said on Friday, adding that finance officials from his country and the US had not held trade talks recently.
Big miss in US non-farm payrolls for March
US non-farm payrolls rose by 103,000 in March, falling far short of economists' forecasts for an increase of 193,000.
China says it will take on the US "at any cost" after Trump threatens more tariffs
The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced on Friday that it is not afraid of fighting a trade war and it will "follow through to the end without hesitating, fighting back at any cost" after being threatened by the US administration with further tariffs.
Donald Trump expected to announce withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal
US officials have begun actively planning for the likelihood that the always unpredictable Donald Trump will reveal America's intention to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal, according to the Associated Press, something that would leave many a question over what could happen next or how the Middle Eastern nation would respond.
Market buzz: Markets 'in risk-off mode', tariffs hit US aeros and autos
1535: French government spokesperson Benjamin Grievaux has said there is "no question of a softening or weakening in face of a unilateral decision taken by the US on steel", adding that Paris wants to ensure trade law and the principle of reciprocity in its commerce with America are respected.
Market buzz: GKN grandstanding dismissed, manufacturing mixed
1655: Spotify reportedly set to start trading at between $160 to $165 per shares, versus an initial reference price of $132.
China places tariffs on 128 US food imports
China has retaliated against US tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium imports, setting levies of as high as 25% on 128 US-amde products.