International News
Federal Reserve hikes rates, inflation not yet sustainably at 2.0%
The US central bank tightened policy as expected on Wednesday, with the tone of its policy statement at first glance appearing to signal that it might step up the pace of tightening a bit, according to some market observers.
US close: Stocks slip in late trading amid China tariff news, banks dip
Wall Street slipped into the red in the final hour of trading after US rate-setters had signalled a slightly faster pace of policy tightening in 2018 and amid reports that the White House was likely to announce tariffs on Chinese goods - possibly as soon as Friday.
White House set to move ahead with tariffs on Chinese goods
The US may levy tariffs on tens of billions of dollars-worth of Chinese-made goods over the next week, perhaps as soon as Friday.
Bitcoin's meteoric rise was the result of manipulation, new report says
As much as half of the Bitcoin boom in 2017 may have been part of a campaign of price manipulation, according to a new paper by John Griffin, an academic known for his ability to spot fraud in financial markets.
Europe close: Stocks mostly higher ahead of Fed decision
Stocks on the Continent were mostly higher as investors waited on the result of the US central bank's policy meeting later on Wednesday evening, with the European Central Bank's own policy meeting set for the next day.
US producer prices rise more quickly than expected in May
Wholesale prices in the US rose more quickly-than-expected last month, on the back of almost across-the-board increases.
US open: Slightly firmer open on the Street ahead of latest Fed policy announcement
Stocks on Wall Street kicked off the day slightly firmer on Wednesday as investors awaited the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve and waited for further clues on the path of rate hikes this year.
Inditex rolls out new high-tech amid positive Q1 results
Spanish fashion retailer Inditex is reaping the benefits of its recent investments in technologies to boost the efficiency of its online and physical stores.
Spanish government moves to re-index pensions payments to CPI
Pushed by the new Socialist government in power, Spanish lawmakers have agreed to link annual public pension payments to consumer price inflation.
Asia report: Most markets lower ahead of Fed decision
Most markets in Asia finished Wednesday in the red, as investors turned their attention to the Federal Reserve meeting later in the global day.
Euro area employment continues to rise past pre-crisis peaks
Levels of employment in the single currency bloc pushed further above their crisis peaks in 2008 over the course of the first quarter of 2018, led by the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
US pre-open: Stocks to edge up as all eyes turn to Fed
US futures pointed to a slightly firmer open on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors eyed the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve and looked for further clues on the path of rate hikes this year.
AT&T given green light for Time Warner takeover by US courts
A US federal judge cleared AT&T's planned acquisition of Time Warner overnight, drawing to a close the six-week antitrust trial which saw regulators and the White House argue that the $85bn deal would give AT&T undue leverage.