Asian stock markets ended with gains last week as the speculation of further stimulus measures from the major central banks offered support. However, markets pared gains after policy makers in the U.S. and Europe failed to offer any new stimulus measures needed to bolster growth. Particularly, the lack of concrete new action by the European Central Bank weighed on the sentiment.
A slew of the country's largest retail stores beat Wall St. July-sales estimates, a sign that this year's back-to-school season will be the best seen in years.
General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) on Wednesday reported July U.S. car sales fell 6 percent compared with the year before as retail sales fell modestly and fleet sales plummeted.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) reported U.S. July car sales were down 4 percent compared to the year before due to weak fleet sales.
Japan’s industrial output declined in June, which is the third consecutive month showing a fall, indicating that the weakening global demand and the debt burden faced by the euro zone are affecting the country’s economy.
Japan’s retail sales growth slowed down in June as compared to May, indicating that private consumption being affected by the faltering global economic conditions.
The more data market-watchers have seen on the U.S. economy, the less they like what they've seen. Specifically, predictions on what the government might report as the rate of GDP growth in the second-quarter of 2012 have plummeted in the past few weeks, as economists adjust their models to one disappointing data release after another.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), the largest maker of construction and mining equipment, reported a 67 percent jump in its second-quarter profit that topped analysts' estimates and boosted its full-year outlook as demand increased from North American builders and overseas miners.
PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP), the maker of Lay's potato chips, Quaker oatmeal and its namesake Pepsi-Cola, is projected to report lower second-quarter profit as the food and beverage giant struggles to offset rising ingredient costs and marketing expenses with price increases.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, is expected to report strong second-quarter profit as resurgent sales of construction machinery in the U.S. and ongoing global demand for mining equipment offset weakening sales in Europe, China and Brazil. The impact of acquisitions will also play a part.
Britain risks permanent damage to its economy if the government does not adopt fiscal stimulus measures to reverse the country's recession, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Thursday as it pressed for a reduction in the country's deficits to jumpstart its ailing economy.
U.S. stock index futures point to a higher open Tuesday as investor sentiment turned positive on expectations for new U.S. Federal Reserve stimulus measures.
Asian stock markets advanced Tuesday as investor await Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's semi-annual testimony before Congress for hints about further easing.
Crude oil prices slightly advanced Tuesday as investors awaited testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for hints about further easing.
The top after-market Nasdaq gainers Monday were Digital Generation Inc, Codexis Inc, NuPathe Inc, Synacor Inc and Marten Transport Ltd.The top after-market Nasdaq losers were Mattress Firm Holding Corp, Select Comfort Corporation, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc, ICU Medical Inc and FLIR Systems Inc.
Asian shares paused Tuesday as investors awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's view on the U.S. economy later in the day, after weak U.S. retail sales and a lower International Monetary Fund global growth forecast raised hopes of more stimulus from the Fed.
U.S. retail sales unexpectedly declined for a third straight month in June, the latest sign that weak job growth and stagnant wages have taken a toll on the biggest part of the economy.
U.S. stock index futures point to lower opening Monday as investor sentiment was dragged down by worries of global economic growth continuing to falter.
Asian markets breathed a sigh of relief Friday as the Chinese GDP figures improved, contrary to what some had feared, and eased concerns of a sharper slowdown in the world's second largest economy. The second quarter economic data showed a sequential acceleration and pointed to a pick-up in growth in the second half of the year.
China's slowing economy could drag down some of its Asian neighbors, but other countries would be less affected, according to a report released Friday by Capital Economics.
China's report Friday that its economic activity grew in the second quarter much as expected reinforced expectations that the growth rate in the world's second-biggest economy will increase later this year.
China's growth rate slowed for a sixth successive quarter to its slackest pace in more than three years, highlighting the need for more policy vigilance from Beijing even as signs emerge that action taken so far is beginning to stabilise the economy.
