International News
US close: Dow powers through 25,000 as records tumble
US shares continued their powerful start to the new year with the Dow Jones index breaching 25,000 points for the first time.
Europe close: Periphery stocks jump, Dax brushes off euro gains
Stocks barreled higher on the back of strong survey data out of the euro area and despite a renewed move higher in the single currency.
US oil inventories fall sharply as refineries ramp-up production
US crude oil inventories dropped sharply sharply last week, albeit alongside big increases in product stockpiles as refineries ramped-up production.
Sessions rumours knock marijuana stocks off their high
Cannabis stocks came down from their high on Thursday as rumours emerged that US attorney general Jeff Sessions planned to rescind federal marijuana legislation.
US open: Dow Industrials punches past 25,000 point mark
The Dow Jones Industrials is punching past the psychological 25,000 point mark for the first time ever, on the back of a bumper reading on one of the most widely-followed surveys of hiring conditions in the US.
Jet Airways pilots grounded after mid-flight altercation
Jet Airways confirmed reports that a "misunderstanding" between two cockpit crew members on a New Year's Day flight from London to Mumbai led to both pilots being grounded, adding that those involved had been stripped of their duties, pending an investigation.
Fed funds futures rise after FOMC minutes
Rate-setters in the US continue to see a need for a "gradual" pace of monetary policy tightening, but are also in agreement that the behaviour of prices and of the shape of the government bond yield curve need monitoring, the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting revealed.
US services sector growth slows to 7-month low in December - IHS Markit
Activity in the US services sector slowed less than initially estimated in December, according to figures out on Thursday.
Asia close: Regional gauge at record high as Japanese shares surge
Asian stocks continued to climb, led by a surge in Japanese issues that pushed the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to a record high, as investors in Tokyo played catch-up with the rest of the world following the New Years holiday.
US initial jobless claims unexpectedly rise
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, according to figures released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
US private sector adds 250,000 jobs in December
Private sector employment in the US unexpectedly rose in December, according to data released by ADP on Thursday.
US pre-open: Dow on course for 25,000 as investors eye jobs, services data
The Dow looked set to breach the 25,000 level on Thursday, with futures pointing a firmer open on Wall Street ahead of a key jobs report and the latest reading on the services sector.
China's services sector improves, Caixin survey shows
China's services sector grew at its fastest pace in more than three years in December, according to a survey released overnight.
Trump's lawyers hit Steve Bannon with cease-and-desist over tell-all book
Lawyers representing Donald Trump have issued former chief strategist Steve Bannon a cease-and-desist notice, accusing him of having violated a non-disclosure agreement when speaking to author Michael Wolff.
Eurozone economic growth hits highest level since early 2011 - IHS Markit
Business activity in the eurozone accelerated more than initially estimated in December, with economic growth hitting its highest level since early 2011, according to figures released on Thursday.