U.S. housing starts at 13-year high in December; permits ease
U.S. homebuilding surged to a 13-year high in December as activity increased across the board, suggesting the housing market recovery was back on track amid low mortgage rates, and could help support the longest economic expansion on record.
Wall Street opens at record high on strong data, earnings
U.S. stock indexes marched to new highs at open on Friday, driven by optimism over corporate earnings, upbeat economic data and indications of resilience in China’s economy.
Oil held in check as Chinese economy offsets trade optimism
Oil prices edged higher on Friday but were little changed on the week as sluggish economic growth in China, the world’s biggest crude importer, raised concerns over fuel demand and countered optimism from the signing of a China-U.S. trade deal.
The yield curve’s still weird. Fed’s Bullard is okay with that
It was more than a year ago when St. Louis Federal Reserve bank President James Bullard started raising the alarm about a U.S. bond market where interest rates seemed to show investors losing faith in the economy, a risky environment for the Fed to car…
World shares gain as China data fuels bets on growth
World shares rose to record highs on Friday, buoyed by Chinese growth figures that suggested the world’s second-biggest economy was stabilizing.
Exclusive: Sinopec to review potential $16 billion U.S. gas deal with Cheniere – sources
China’s Sinopec, expected to be the next major Chinese buyer of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), is planning to review terms of a potential $16 billion supply deal with Cheniere Energy Inc after a sharp drop in LNG prices, industry officials said.
Exclusive: China’s Ant aims for $200 billion price tag in private share sales – sources
Ant Financial [ANTFIN.UL] shares are being offered privately at levels which value the Chinese financial giant at $200 billion, two people with knowledge of the discussions said, lifting it up the ranks of the most valuable unlisted companies.
Exclusive: HSBC cutting around 100 staff in equities business – sources
HSBC is cutting around 100 roles in its equities business with the bulk of the layoffs falling on its continental European trading floors, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Indonesian minister says SoftBank offering to invest up to $40 billion in new capital
SoftBank has offered to invest up to $40 billion in the new capital city Indonesia plans to build on Borneo island, a minister said on Friday, though the Japanese tech conglomerate said no figure had been suggested yet.
Fiat Chrysler and Foxconn plan push into Chinese electric car market
Automaker Fiat Chrysler plans to set up a joint venture with the parent of iPhone assembler Foxconn to build electric cars and develop internet-connected vehicles in China, as it looks to make up ground in electric mobility.
