Currencies

US weekly jobless claims fall amid low layoffs

WASHINGTON -The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell last week, but tepid hiring could raise the unemployment rate to 4.3% in August. Initial claims for...

Microsoft fires four workers for on-site protests over company's ties to Israel

WASHINGTON -Microsoft has fired four employees who participated in protests on company premises against the firm's ties to Israel as it wages war in Gaza, including two who took part in a sit-in this...

Rupee snaps losing streak against weak dollar despite tariff pressure

The Indian rupee advanced on Thursday after five straight sessions of logging losses, as a weaker dollar and bets of central bank intervention outweighed the impact of additional U.S. tariffs. ...

Russia slashes 2025 economic growth forecast to 1.5% from 2.5%

MOSCOW -Russia sees economic growth in 2025 slowing to 1.5%, far below the earlier 2.5% forecast, as high interest rates imposed to reduce inflation have stifled borrowing, Finance Minister Anton...

Sterling retreats as dollar rebounds, traders digest British PPI

August 27 -Sterling slipped on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar firmed against major currencies, recouping losses spurred by investor worries over independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve while traders...

India's Russian oil gains wiped out by Trump's tariffs

NEW DELHI -India saved billions of dollars by stepping up imports of discounted Russian oil in the wake of the war in Ukraine, but punitive tariffs imposed by the U.S. that came into effect on...

Senate panel prepares to hold hearing on Trump's Fed pick, Bloomberg News reports

The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing next week to consider U.S. President Donald Trump's nomination of White House economic adviser Stephen Miran as a Federal Reserve governor, Bloomberg...

Bank of Canada Governor says bank will not review 2% inflation target next year

The Bank of Canada will not review its inflation target when its monetary policy framework comes up for renewal next year, Governor Tiff Macklem said on Tuesday, saying the current target has helped...

New BIS head stresses importance of central bank independence and accountability

LONDON -The new head of the Bank for International Settlements on Tuesday stressed the need for central banks to focus on inflation and, amid Donald Trump's escalating attacks on the Fed, for their...

Mantra of central bank independence shaken by Trump moves on Fed

FRANKFURT -U.S. President Donald Trump's attacks on Federal Reserve policymakers are emerging as the biggest threat in decades to central bank independence, which is widely seen as key to keeping...

Trump's Fed battle raises risks of ever-higher yields for Japan

TOKYO -Japanese government bond yields tested record highs on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, raising concerns about inflationary...

Indian central bank likely intervening to cushion rupee against US tariff risks

MUMBAI -The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly selling dollars via state-run banks to stabilize the rupee, which has come under pressure on worries about the fallout from potential steep U.S....

Exclusive-US and Russian officials discussed energy deals alongside latest Ukraine peace talks

LONDON -U.S. and Russian government officials discussed several energy deals on the sidelines of negotiations this month that sought to achieve peace in Ukraine, according to five sources familiar...

Impending Trump tariff hike pushes rupee down for 5th straight session

The Indian rupee continued its losing streak for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday as Washington confirmed it will impose an extra 25% levy on Indian goods, clouding the outlook for Asia's...

Fed Governor Cook will sue to keep her job as Trump mulls replacement

WASHINGTON -Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook will file a lawsuit to prevent President Donald Trump from firing her, a lawyer for the embattled central bank official said on Tuesday, kicking off...

South American bloc Mercosur and Canada to resume talks for free-trade agreement

BRASILIA -Canada and South American bloc Mercosur will resume negotiations for a free-trade agreement, Brasilia and Ottawa announced on Monday after a meeting in Brazil's capital. ...

DAX Investors Take Cover as Defense Stocks Gain Favor

The interest-rate euphoria fueled by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has already dissipated on the German stock market. The DAX opened Monday down 0.5 percent at 24,238 points, after...

South African rand weakens as investors await local data signals

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand was on the backfoot on Monday as investors booked profits after a rally that took the currency to a nine-month peak. At 1522 GMT the rand traded at...

Major brokerages pivot to Sept Fed rate cut on Powell's labor warning

Major brokerages, including Barclays, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank, now expect a 25-basis-point U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut in September following Chair Jerome Powell's shift in tone at Jackson...