Wall Street was set for a higher open on Thursday as data showed a steep pickup in productivity and a decline in applications for jobless insurance.
The Bank of England said on Thursday it would expand its quantitative easing program by 25 billion pounds to help kick-start Britain's recession-hit economy.
U.S. business productivity in the third quarter grew at the fastest pace in six years and new claims for jobless aid fell to a 10-month low last week, indicating the decline in labor market may be hitting bottom.
Wall Street was set for a higher open on Thursday as data showed a steep pickup in productivity and a decline in applications for jobless insurance.
U.S. retail chains reported October sales that rebounded from the lows of a year ago but many failed to surpass Wall Street's boosted expectations as consumers spend selectively headed into the holiday season.
Central banks with trillions of dollars in reserves that are already stepping up euro and yen purchases will likely continue doing so in coming years, driven by worries over the stability of the greenback.
The euro extended gains against the dollar to hit a session high on Thursday after European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said the euro zone economy will recover at a gradual pace.
The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless insurance fell more than expected last week to a 10-month low, government data showed on Thursday, pointing to a gradual improvement in the labor market.
Online job postings rose slightly in October, led by growth in health care and public companies, but the monthly employment gauge remained 20 percent below year-ago levels, a private research group said on Thursday.
Dow Chemical Co and Shenhua Group, China's largest coal miner, will reportedly move ahead with their planned $10 billion coal-to-chemical project in Shaanxi province after a delay of at least one year.
Asian stocks fall as South Korea fuels growth concern. China shares rise for 5th day to 12-week high, extending gains on recovery hopes.
Health insurer Cigna Corp posted higher third-quarter profit on Thursday as strength in stock market investments boosted the value of variable annuity products in its reinsurance business.
U.S. non-farm productivity in the third quarter rose at its fastest pace in six years as companies squeezed more output from a smaller pool of labor and cut costs to deal with a slump in demand, government data showed on Thursday.
The European Central Bank kept interest rates on hold at 1.0 percent on Thursday and investors are now braced for signs that it will soon start weaning banks off cheap and abundant liquidity.
Stock index futures rose on Thursday on upbeat results from Cisco Systems and ahead of an expected pickup in October same-store sales as well as jobless claims data.
Stock index futures rose on Thursday on upbeat results from Cisco Systems and ahead of an expected pickup in October same-store sales as well as jobless claims data.
Stock index futures rose on Thursday on upbeat results from Cisco Systems and ahead of an expected pickup in October same-store sales as well as jobless claims data.
The euro held steady on Thursday as the European Central Bank kept interest rates on hold, while the pound rose versus the greenback as the UK central bank raised its asset buying but less than some expected.
Sterling jumped, UK gilts tumbled and British stocks briefly slipped on Thursday after the Bank of England expanded its quantitative easing programme by 25 billion pounds, allaying some concerns about a bigger increase.
Britain's top shares fell 0.5 percent around midday on Thursday, as investors digested the Bank of England decision to keep interest rates on hold and said it will pump more money into the economy to spur growth.
The Bank of England expanded its quantitative easing programme by 25 billion pounds to 200 billion pounds on Thursday, continuing its unprecedented scheme to revive Britain's recession-hit economy.
Risk aversion ahead of key central bank policy decisions put pressure on Britain's leading shares around midsession on Thursday, with weakness in banks and miners offsetting modest gains in defensive telecoms and tobacco firms.
U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday ahead of jobs and productivity data and same-store sales numbers from major U.S. retailers.
Oil fell to around $80 a barrel after a steep decline in U.S. crude inventories sent prices up 1 percent the previous day, as traders aimed to lock in profits amid weaker equity markets and a firming dollar.
U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday ahead of jobs and productivity data and same-store sales numbers from major U.S. retailers.
The dollar and the yen edged up on Thursday as short-term investors and Japanese exporters sold into a rally in the euro and higher-yielding currencies which followed a repeated pledge by the U.S. Fed to keep rates low for a while.
The dollar and the yen gained broadly on Thursday as the euro and perceived higher risk currencies succumbed to profit-taking ahead of policy decisions by the Bank of England and the European Central Bank.
The Bank of England said on Thursday it would expand its quantitative easing programme by 25 billion pounds to help kick-start Britain's recession-hit economy.
News, details on corporate bond issues in the European markets on Thursday:
Wall Street cash bonuses are set to increase by about 40 percent this year, the Wall Street Journal said citing a report by compensation consulting firm Johnson Associates.
