Dollar set for biggest weekly fall in four months as Fed outlook shifts

Dollar eases before Fed interest rate decision

The dollar set for biggest weekly fall in four months on Thursday as expectations of further monetary easing in the United States deepened and political pressure on the Federal Reserve intensified.  Thin liquidity during the Thanksgiving holiday added to sharp swings across major currencies, with the Japanese yen edging higher and the euro drifting lower … Read more

Alphabet Hits Record Highs as Markets Rebound Amid Fed Shift and Global Uncertainty

A professional stock market trading floor display showing Alphabet shares rising sharply as Alphabet hits record highs, with a businessman analyzing market data.

Alphabet hits record highs in early trading as Wall Street’s recovery rally continues, even as new warnings from investor Michael Burry, intensifying Ukraine peace negotiations and shifting expectations at the Federal Reserve reshape sentiment across global markets.  The renewed optimism pushed the Dow more than 660 points higher Tuesday, extending a rebound fueled by hopes … Read more

Nvidia selloff driven by fear, not fundamentals, says Jim Cramer

Nvidia stock chart showing recent selloff amid AI market concerns

Nvidia Corp.’s recent stock decline has sparked debate among investors and market analysts over whether the selloff reflects fundamental weaknesses or broader investor anxiety.  CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Tuesday that fears surrounding Nvidia and other artificial intelligence companies may be overblown and not grounded in company performance. “You either believe in artificial intelligence or you … Read more

Australia’s consumer inflation jumps to 3.8% in October, beating forecasts

Chart showing Australia’s consumer inflation rising to 3.8 percent in October due to higher electricity and housing costs

Australia’s consumer inflation accelerated faster than expected in October, rising at its quickest pace in seven months and reinforcing concerns that cost pressures remain stubborn across the economy.  The Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday that the consumer price index increased 3.8 percent year over year, surpassing economists’ expectations and marking a significant jump driven … Read more

Consumer Confidence Falls to Lowest Level Since April as Job Worries Intensify

A concerned woman looking at her phone in a grocery aisle, reflecting declining consumer confidence amid rising economic worries.

Consumer confidence fell sharply in November, reaching its weakest point since April as Americans grew more anxious about job security and the broader economic outlook.  The latest reading from the Conference Board showed widespread unease across income groups, with declining expectations for business conditions, employment prospects and household income. The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence … Read more

Omnicom acquisition of IPG approved by EU, creating world’s largest advertising agency

Omnicom acquisition of IPG approved by EU creating world’s largest advertising agency

The European Union’s antitrust regulator on Monday unconditionally approved Omnicom Group’s $13.25 billion all stock acquisition of rival Interpublic Group, clearing the way for the merger of two of the world’s largest advertising agencies.  The deal, first announced in December, combines the third largest ad buyer, Omnicom, with the fourth largest, Interpublic, creating a global … Read more

Oil prices decline amid Ukraine peace talks and Fed rate cut speculation

Graph showing oil prices decline amid Ukraine peace talks and Fed rate cut speculation

Oil prices continued their decline on Monday as investors balanced the possibility of a US interest rate cut against emerging hopes for a Ukraine peace agreement that could ease sanctions on major Russian oil producers.  Brent crude fell 58 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $61.98 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid 60 cents, … Read more

Bitcoin mining in China rebounds despite 2021 ban

Modern data center facility with high-powered servers and cooling systems operating in Xinjiang amid the quiet resurgence of bitcoin mining in China

BEIJING — Bitcoin mining in China is quietly resurging four years after Beijing imposed a sweeping ban on cryptocurrency activity, as miners in energy rich western provinces exploit low cost electricity and a boom in private data centers.  The rebound, supported by industry trackers and equipment makers, has pushed China back into the top ranks … Read more

Hope Emerges After US Market Rout as Fed Signals Possible Rate Cuts

A stressed businessman sits beside a computer screen showing a sharp market decline, reflecting the pressure from the recent US market rout.

NEW YORK — A turbulent week on Wall Street ended with a glimmer of optimism after a sharp US market rout driven by hotter than expected economic readings and renewed anxiety over high flying technology valuations.  Despite losses across major indexes, comments from a top Federal Reserve official and selective strength in the artificial intelligence … Read more