International News
Europe close: Stocks slip on geopolitical concerns
Stocks finished the week on a down note, weighed down by a spate of mixed readings on the Chinese economy for the month of May and amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf.
Facebook hires Standard Chartered executive ahead of crypto launch
Facebook has hired a senior Standard Chartered executive, Ed Bowles, ahead of the expected launch of its very own cryptocurrency and financial services business.
US open: Stocks head south following weak data out of China
Wall Street trading began with losses on Friday as investors reacted to economic data out of China and tensions between the US and Iran following an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman a day earlier.
US consumers' inflation expectations hit 40-year low in May, UofM says
Americans' outlook on the economy didn't worsen by as much as had been expected in June, according to the results of a closely-followed survey, but their expectations for inflation dropped to a four-decade low.
Rouble strengthens after Russian central bank cuts rates, as expected
Russia's central bank took back its late 2018 pre-emptive interest rate hike as it revised its near-term forecasts for inflation and economic growth lower, leaving the door open to a another rate cut at one its next board meetings and a possible shift to a "neutral" policy before mid-2020.
US industrial production edges past forecasts in May
US industrial production rose more quickly than expected last month, led by a jump in utilities output.
US retail sales rise past forecasts in May thanks to revisions
US retail sales rose more quickly than expected last month, amid upwards revisions to readings for the previous month.
Pernod Ricard buys majority stake in Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole Whiskey
France's Pernod Ricard has added Bourbon to its portfolio with the acquisition of a majority share in Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole Whiskey.
Broadcom warns on impact of trade uncertainty, Huawei restrictions
US chip maker Broadcom turned cautious on the outlook for the back half of 2019 on Thursday, citing the "continued geopolitical uncertainties" and the impact of export restrictions on one of its largest customers, presumably Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturer Huawei.
Spain's Indra may bid for majority stake in Rolls-Royce's ITP Aero
Spanish information technologies outfit Indra has expressed an interest in acquiring a majority stake in ITP Aero from Rolls Royce.
Bayer set to invest €5bn in research for new weedkillers
Pharmaceutical company Bayer is set to invest €5bn (£4. 5 bn) in weedkiller research as if faces mounting litigation against its US arm over its Roundup pesticide which claimants allege causes cancer.
US pre-open: Stocks look set decline as White House blames Iran for tanker attacks
Wall Street futures were pointing to losses ahead of the weekend as investors reacted to economic data out of China and tensions between the US and Iran following an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman a day earlier.
Asia report: Markets mixed as investors hold their breath over Gulf tensions
Markets in Asia were in a mixed state as they closed on Friday, as Middle East tensions took a front seat following attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
US releases footage 'showing Iran removing mine from tanker'
The US military released video footage it claimed showed an Iranian military patrol boat approach one of two tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday as tensions increased in the region over the incident and oil prices rose.
Chinese industrial production drops to 17-year low in May
Chinese industrial production fell to its worst level in 17 years in May, according to figures released by the country's National Bureau of Statistics on Friday.