International News
Europe close: Rise in single currency weighs on shares
A late bout of selling sent stocks lower as traders pushed the single currency higher going into the end of the year.
Corbyn doesn't rule out a second referendum under Labour government
Labour's leader arguably shied away in a newspaper interview from ruling out a second referendum if he becomes Prime Minister.
Brexit department denies David Davis is being sidelined from talks
The Brexit department is accusing Brussels of trying to undermine David Davis and the government’s negotiating position by claiming he has been sidelined from Brexit talks.
Factory activity picks-up further in December, Chicago PMI says
Factory activity in the US Mid-West quickened again at the end of the year, according to the results of one of the most widely-followed surveys for the sector.
US open: Stocks flat as investors digest data slew amid light volumes
US stocks were little changed at the open on Thursday as investors sifted through a slew of data releases on an otherwise quiet day, with little in the way of corporate news and volumes thin ahead of the new year.
US foreign trade deficit widens in November
America's shortfall on its foreign trade in goods widened last month, as import growth continued to outpace that in the country's exports.
US initial jobless claims hold steady
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits was steady last week, according to data from the Labor Department.
Asia close: Japanese stocks out of favour on yen strength
Most Asia Pacific equity markets turned in a positive performance on Thursday, outside of Japan where shares fell back on yen strength against a backdrop of a flattening US interest rate curve.
US pre-open: Stocks seen slightly higher in thin trade
US futures pointed to small gains at the open on Wall Street, with volumes and news light, although there were a few data points to look forward to.
Theresa May urged to withdraw Tory whip over "disloyal" Brexit comments
Prime Minister Theresa May is being pressured by Brexit supporters to withdraw Conservative whip from Michael Heseltine over his "disloyal comments" suggesting that a Jeremy Corbyn government would be better than Brexit.
BoJ policymakers determined to bring CPI back to target
Rate-setters at the Bank of Japan continue to be clearly-focused on bringing inflation back to their 2% target on a sustainable basis, details of their last policy meeting revealed.
US close: Slight gains for stocks in subdued trading ahead of year-end
US stocks edged higher on Wednesday as investors digested the latest data on home sales and consumer confidence, with volumes light as many traders were still away from their desks for the holidays.
Japanese industrial production jumps in November
Japanese industrial production shot ahead last month buoyed by output of semiconductor equipment and electronic parts, but companies were projecting relatively flat levels of output over coming months.
Bitcoin drops 17% as Seoul closes in on cryptocurrency crackdown
A warning from Seoul that it was studying potential measures, including shutting down some cryptocurrency exchanges, to stamp out excessive and potentially costly speculation, put paid to a four-day rebound in Bitcoin from its worst week since 2013.