Economic News
- ReutersAbu Dhabi’s Etihad Starts Direct Passenger Flights to Israel
DUBAI (Reuters) -Abu Dhabi state carrier Etihad Airways began direct commercial passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates capital to Tel Aviv in Israel – the latest direct air link between the two countries that established diplomatic relations last year.
- ReutersTaco Bell to Hire 5,000 Workers at April Job Fair
(Reuters) – Yum Brands Inc’s Taco Bell said on Tuesday it would hire at least 5,000 workers at an April job fair as it looks to support a planned expansion of U.S. restaurants.
- Vladimir ZernovStocks Stay Close To All-Time Highs
Meanwhile, WTI oil is trying to get back above the $60 level.
- Bob MasonEurozone Unemployment Fails to Weigh on the EUR after the Holidays
Eurozone unemployment figures do little for the EUR and the European boerses as the markets respond to U.S stats from the holidays.
- ReutersLG Electronics Fans Bemoan End of Era as Firm Exits Smartphone Business
By Joyce Lee and Heekyong YangSEOUL (Reuters) – Fans of LG Electronics smartphones rued the loss of more affordable Android-based devices after the South Korean tech company said on Monday it would quit the business, with some praising LG for the innovation it brought to the industry.LG smartphone users in
- ReutersEasyJet CEO Criticises Testing Requirements in Britain’s Travel Restart Plan
LONDON (Reuters) – The chief executive of British airline easyJet criticised some of the government’s plans to restart travel, saying COVID-19 tests should not be required for passengers travelling to low-risk destinations.
- ReutersSilicon Valley Self-Driving Startup Gatik Works with Isuzu to Build Delivery Trucks
(Reuters) – Silicon Valley self-driving startup Gatik and Isuzu North America Corp on Tuesday said they will work together to build autonomous delivery trucks that Gatik will use to serve its retailer customers.
- Bob MasonEuropean Equities – Economic Data and COVID-19 News in Focus after the Holidays
After the holidays, there’s plenty for the markets to consider going into today’s session. Last week’s U.S stats and economic data later today will be in influence.
- ReutersU.S. Service Sector Activity Index Hits Record High in March
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A measure of U.S. services industry activity surged to a record high in March amid robust growth in new orders, in the latest indication of a roaring economy that is being boosted by increased vaccinations and massive fiscal stimulus.
- ReutersWorld Bank Chief Expects G20 to Extend Debt Payment Freeze Through End-2021
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – World Bank President David Malpass on Monday said he expects China, the United States and other Group of 20 major economies to extend a freeze in bilateral debt service payments through the end of 2021 when they meet this week.
- Vladimir ZernovStrong Non Farm Payrolls Report Boosts Markets
Meanwhile, WTI oil slips back below the $60 level on virus worries.
- ReutersSoftBank to Lead Nearly $1.2 Billion Investment in Diagnostics Firm Invitae
(Reuters) -Invitae Corp said on Monday a group of investors including SoftBank Group Corp will invest $1.15 billion in the U.S. genetic diagnostics company.
- ReutersTurkey Inflation Above 16% in Test for New Cenbank Chief
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s annual inflation climbed above 16% in March for the first time since mid-2019, data showed on Monday, piling pressure on new central bank governor Sahap Kavcioglu to maintain tight policy after his surprise appointment.
- ReutersSempra Energy to Sell 20% Stake in Unit to KKR for $3.37 Billion
(Reuters) – Energy infrastructure company Sempra Energy said on Monday it would sell a 20% stake in its new business platform, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, to investment firm KKR for $3.37 billion in cash.
- ReutersSouth Korea’s LG Becomes First Major Smartphone Brand to From Market
SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc will wind down its loss-making mobile division after failing to find a buyer, a move that is set to make it the first major smartphone brand to completely withdraw from the market.
- ReutersGlobal Money Market Funds Obtain Highest Inflows in 14 Weeks
(Reuters) – Investments into money market funds surged to the highest this year in the week ended March 31, as investors favoured safety amid a fall in bond prices and fresh lockdowns in Europe, with the region grappling to contain a rising number of coronavirus infections.
- ReutersJapan’s Central Bank Kicks Off Experiments on Issuing Digital Currency
TOKYO (Reuters) – The Bank of Japan (BOJ) began experiments on Monday to study the feasibility of issuing its own digital currency, joining efforts by other central banks that are aiming to match the innovation in the field achieved by the private sector.
- ReutersSaudi Non-Oil Private Sector Keeps Up Steady Growth in March – PMI
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector grew for the seventh straight month in March, albeit at a slower pace, with output and new orders expanding more moderately than a month earlier, a survey showed on Monday.
- ReutersUAE March Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Climbs to 20-Month High – PMI
DUBAI (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates’ non-oil private sector grew in March at the fastest pace since July 2019, boosted by new business and a sharp rise in the construction sector, a survey showed on Monday.
- ReutersFrance Lifts 2021 Deficit, Debt Forecasts
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s public deficit is expected to reach 9% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Sunday, up from a previous forecast of 8.5% as the country enters its third national coronavirus lockdown.