Oil holds near annual peaks, awaiting OPEC cuts
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Crude oil prices edged up for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, close to their highest levels since mid-2015, ahead of U.S. oil inventory figures and as the market awaits evidence of OPEC supply reductions in the new year….
Last-minute spending surge lifts U.S. holiday shopping season
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A jump in consumer spending in the final stretch of December significantly offset a slow start to the U.S. holiday shopping season, and is likely to help many retailers beat sales forecasts, industry research groups said on Tuesday….
Pending home sales drop to 10-month low in November
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes fell in November to their lowest level in nearly a year, a sign rising interest rates could be weighing on the housing market, the National Association of Realtors said on Wednesday.
Dow set to make fresh push to 20,000
(Reuters) – Wall Street looked set to open higher on Wednesday, with investors looking for catalysts that would nudge the Dow Jones Industrial Average beyond 20,000, a level it has never breached.
Alibaba entertainment affiliate to invest over $7.2 billion over next three years
BEIJING (Reuters) – Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group, the entertainment affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd , plans to invest more than 50 billion yuan ($7.2 billion) over the next three years, the affiliate’s chief executive said.
Dollar stirs from slumber as yield gap yawns
LONDON (Reuters) – The dollar, oil and world stocks all rose on Wednesday following upbeat U.S. data that saw the gap between Treasuries and other benchmark global government bonds hit new highs.
Japan Inc could claim edge in overseas deals as China faces restraints
TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Japan Inc may become a more important force in dealmaking next year as its cashed-up companies seek to buy growth prospects elsewhere in the world and as Beijing’s crackdown on capital outflows prevents some Chinese companie…
Delta to cancel order for 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
(Reuters) – Delta Air Lines Inc said on Tuesday that in agreement with Boeing Co it would cancel an order for 18 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which it assumed as a part of its merger with Northwest Airlines.
The BOJ, QQE, YCC – explaining Japan’s struggle with stagnation
TOKYO (Reuters) – The Bank of Japan has led Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s effort to stimulate the world’s third-biggest economy, but its often innovative steps have yet to end decades of falling prices and feeble growth.
Toshiba flags hit of ‘billions of dollars’ on U.S. nuclear acquisition
(Reuters) – Toshiba Corp said it may have to book several billion dollars in charges related to a U.S. nuclear power plant construction company acquisition, sending its stock tumbling 12 percent and rekindling concerns about its accounting acumen.
